3 April 2025
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:26): I rise to speak very briefly today on this bill. When the tobacco and e-cigarette reforms were debated in this place last year, the Greens were very supportive of the measures that were aimed at minimising the harm caused by the tobacco industry and, of course, vaping. Those reforms included closure orders that could be put in place to limit the sale of illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes. At the time, the Hon. Ben Hood moved some amendments regarding the rights of the lessor in relation to a closure order. At that time, we indicated we were not in a position to support those amendments because we had not had enough time to consider them.
The bill seeks to address some of the complications with respect to implementing the closure orders now that the legislation has been in place for some months. We are supportive of the general provisions of this bill, which will provide certainty around responsibilities and rights of lessors where closure orders are put in place in their premises. We know that the Hon. Frank Pangallo and the Hon. Connie Bonaros have filed a number of amendments that would introduce additional types of closure orders, namely, a short-term order.
Similar to last time, we have not had a great amount of time to consider the amendments or to consult with stakeholders. Therefore, in terms of considering the amendments, we will be guided by the advice that the government provides during the committee stage. I am certainly open to the amendments, but I am keen to understand how they might work in practise, and obviously the government has access to that level of information via the department so I will watch the debate closely. We are supportive of the substantive bill and certainly are open to the amendments should they be considered workable by the government.