August 2, 2018: First, Victoria Police changed its stance on petrol theft, announcing its commitment to investigate each and every incident. Now, Victoria Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has re-affirmed his intention to treat petrol thefts as crimes, in recognition that the community demands a stronger response to robbery.
The move towards zero tolerance is gathering momentum and the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) values the Opposition’s stance.
At long last, politicians are embracing the zero tolerance approach to crime that the AACS has consistently called for, says AACS CEO Jeff Rogut.
“Petrol theft is the obvious starting point for a zero tolerance approach because it is blatant stealing, which is an offence in anyone’s book. But if the recent spike in crimes committed against convenience stores has demonstrated anything, it’s that the community demands stronger sanctions and punishments for criminals,” says Mr Rogut.
“The spate of violent convenience store robberies in recent times has fuelled wider unrest in the community. For those of us in the industry, to be targeted in this way, has always been unacceptable. But now society as a whole is alert to the issue and is demanding tougher action against criminals.
“The time is now for Government, law enforcement and the judicial system to align and get tough when it comes to legislating, investigating and sentencing those caught robbing convenience stores and other small businesses. The community demands it,” Mr Rogut says.
According to the AACS, just as important as finding and punishing criminals with the full force of the law is understanding the drivers of the spike in criminal activity and seeking to disrupt these crimes at the source.
“Illicit tobacco, and the regulatory environment in Australia that has contributed to this black market’s unprecedented growth, is the most significant area requiring reform. Violent robberies committed against convenience stores invariably target the cigarette cabinet. The huge excise payable on legal tobacco makes these products an irresistible target for thieves,” Mr Rogut says.
“It is not an exaggeration to say that every time Government raises the tax on legal tobacco, the market for criminal gangs involved on the trade of illicit tobacco grows larger. The most recent research in this area by KPMG shows that more than one in seven cigarettes consumed in Australia has been illegally sourced.
“Illicit tobacco represents a huge proportion of the total tobacco market in Australia and the flow-on impacts of this disastrous predicament are unfolding before our eyes in the form of violence against people, the destruction of property, and the erosion of public confidence in the authorities tasked with keeping us safe.”
The AACS has called for an immediate end to all future legal tobacco excise increases in order to cap demand for illicit tobacco and to begin the process of eradicating illicit tobacco from the market.
Further information:
Jeff Rogut
Chief Executive Officer
Australasian Association of Convenience Stores
Ph: +61 467 873 789
Media enquiries:
Stephen Naylor
Wise McBaron Communication
Ph: +61 (2) 9279 4770
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