Labor Missing in Action as Illicit Tobacco Crime Rises

Media Release | 21 October 2025

Adam Hort MLA
Shadow Minister for Police; Corrective Services; Youth

Despite promising legislation, the Cook Labor Government has failed to introduce tougher laws to clamp down on the illegal tobacco trade.

Shadow Police Minister Adam Hort said illicit tobacco crime was on the rise, with law enforcement agencies - including WA Police and the Australian Border Force – having majorconcerns about gang activity in the illegal tobacco market, which in turn fuels other criminaloperations such as drug trafficking and money laundering.

“We know police are doing the best they can with the resources they have, but the Police Commissioner has been clear - stronger laws are needed,” Mr Hort said.

Back in August, Commissioner Col Blanch warned: ‘Don’t make it a bureaucratic process,make it happen really fast, because there have to be severe consequences for those shopsthat think it’s OK.’

“Instead of giving police the tools they need to do their job, the Cook Labor Government has sat on its hands while organised crime continues to profit,” Mr Hort said.

“If the Government doesn’t act quickly, there’s a risk that international and interstateorganised crime gangs will shift their operations to Western Australia because it’s easier tooperate here than in other states that have tougher laws.

“Every other mainland state in Australia has already introduced laws to shut down illegal tobacco operations - Western Australia is the only one still talking about it. It’s notacceptable.”

Public health advocates are also calling for action.

Today, the Cancer Council’s MakeSmoking History Manager Libby Jardine said WA’s laws were no longer fit for purpose and urged the Government to give police and enforcement officers greater powers to tackle therise in illegal tobacco.

She said states like South Australia were already shutting down offending stores, and in Western Australia, “the time to do that was yesterday.”

Earlier this month, Police Minister Reece Whitby said, ‘All states are moving in this direction,and I want to be in a position to look at all the legislation and pick out the very best and the toughest for Western Australia.’

Mr Hort said the Minister’s comments show a Government lacking leadership and waiting for others to act instead of taking the initiative to protect Western Australians.

‍Media contact: Hayden Tognela - 0467 044 028