Politics · Australia · 2 hrs ago
Victorian Liberals propose tougher penalties for illicit tobacco trade
The Victorian Liberal opposition has proposed tougher action against illegal tobacco sales ahead of the state election.
The trade has been linked to firebombings at 300 businesses and homes across Victoria.
Under the plan, shops caught selling illicit tobacco could be closed for 150 days instead of 90.
Landlords could also end tenants’ leases without compensation once a closure order is issued.
Other proposals include banning ATMs at offending retailers and allowing authorities to seize tobacco and e-cigarette products where they find breaches.
The Liberals say current measures have not stopped the trade, while the Labor government says more than 130 shops have already been closed and over $14 million in illicit tobacco seized.
The proposals would take effect if the Liberals win the election; the government says existing laws already allow longer closures and lease termination.
Victoria’s Liberal opposition has proposed tougher penalties and enforcement powers to combat the illicit tobacco and vape trade.
The party would increase short-term closure orders for businesses caught selling illicit tobacco from 90 days to 150 days.
It also proposes allowing landlords to terminate leases without compensation once a closure order is issued.
The Liberals say the trade has been linked to arson attacks at 300 Victorian businesses and homes.
The state government says more than 130 shops have already been closed and more than $14 million in illicit tobacco seized.
- Who
- The Victorian Liberal opposition, led by Jess Wilson, unveiled the plan.
- What
- It proposes longer shop closures, lease terminations without compensation and other measures to combat illicit tobacco and vape sales.
- When
- The plan was announced on 7 November 2026.
- Where
- Victoria, Australia.
- Why
- The Liberals say the illicit trade has been linked to arson attacks and that existing measures have failed to stop it.
Victorian Liberals
Victorian Labor government
Closure orders
Victorian Liberals
Increase short-term closure orders from 90 days to 150 days.
Victorian Labor government
The government says existing laws allow longer-term orders through the Magistrates’ Court.
Enforcement
Victorian Liberals
Give authorities additional powers, including lease termination without compensation and seizure of tobacco and e-cigarette products.
Victorian Labor government
The government says inspectors are shutting shops and seizing illicit products.
Effectiveness
Victorian Liberals
Jess Wilson says the government’s measures have failed to stop the trade.
Victorian Labor government
The government says it is seeing smaller quantities of illicit tobacco at premises and shops choosing to close themselves.
New laws took effect giving inspectors and police power to close businesses found selling illegal tobacco products.
Rohan Pike criticised the Labor government for not acting quickly enough on the illicit tobacco trade.
Liberal leader Jess Wilson unveiled the party’s proposed plan to crack down on illicit tobacco and vape sales.
- Proposed closure period
- 150 days, up from 90 days
- Businesses and homes linked to arson attacks
- 300
- Shops closed under current crackdown
- More than 130
- Illicit tobacco seized
- More than $14 million
- Proposed lease measure
- Landlords could terminate leases without compensation after a short-term closure order
What people are saying
Victorians are sick of seeing illegal tobacco shops closed for a few weeks, then back open for business as if nothing happened.
Our inspectors are already out in force, shutting down illegal tobacco shops and seizing illicit products — with more than 130 shops already closed and more than $14 million in illicit tobacco seized.
Our government simply hasn't cared about this problem for many years, and it's just allowed it to fester and get completely out of control.