The final piece of legislation designed to strengthen the Government’s response to illicit tobacco has passed through Parliament. The Morrison Government has enacted the Treasury Laws Amendment (Black Economy Taskforce Measures No. 2) Bill 2018 and the Excise Tariff Amendment (Collecting Tobacco Duties at Manufacture) Bill 2018.
Together, these Bills complement legislation passed by the Assistant Minister for Home Affairs, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, which requires duties on tobacco to be paid when it is imported into Australia.
“Legislation is now complete which enacts the Morrison Government’s 2018-19 Budget commitment to tackling the black economy,” Assistant Treasurer, the Hon Stuart Robert MP said.
“The Department of Home Affairs, Treasury and the ATO will now work on regulations and communications designed to implement the rest of the Government’s 2018-19 Budget commitments to tackling the illicit tobacco market which are due to take effect on 1 July 2019,” Assistant Minister Reynolds said.
As well as this legislation, the Morrison Government has already delivered on its 2018-19 Budget commitment in creating the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce and ensuring the ATO has the ability to combat the domestic illegal tobacco trade.