Combatting Illicit Tobacco Bill 2026; Consideration in Detail

Opened the debate

Scamps moved an amendment to insert Part 1A into the bill, amending the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 to prohibit the importation of tobacco manufacturing equipment without written permission from the Minister or an authorised person. Scamps argued that current enforcement was reactive, as authorities often discovered machinery only after illicit production had begun, citing a raid in Rouse Hill where a machine capable of producing 3.6 million cigarettes daily was found. Scamps stated the amendment would close a regulatory gap, as tobacco products were already controlled but the machinery to produce them was not. Scamps claimed this measure would reduce organised crime profits, align Australia with World Health Organization standards, and create a clear evidentiary test for importers.

Government response

Hill stated the government could not support the amendment because tobacco manufacturing equipment is inherently multipurpose, also used in pharmaceutical, food, beverage, and chemical processing industries. Hill noted that the Australian Border Force advised against including such equipment in border controls, distinguishing it from tablet presses which are more targeted. Hill argued that establishing a regulatory regime for this broad range of machinery would divert Border Force resources away from inspecting containers, which had led to record seizures of illegal tobacco recently. Hill concluded that the cost-benefit analysis did not support the amendment and that the Border Force's operational advice should be followed.