Press Releases

The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has welcomed the Victorian Government’s Workplace Protection Order (WPO) legislation introduced into Parliament today, while warning that a commencement date of 26 July 2027 leaves frontline workers exposed for another twelve months. AACS CEO Theo Foukkare said the scheme directly targets the problem members have been raising for years — the small number of repeat offenders who drive most incidents. “Our members employ more than 20,000 frontline staff across Victoria, and the overwhelming majority of the interactions they have every day are perfectly normal,” Mr Foukkare said. “But there is a hard core of repeat offenders who walk into the same store, week after week, because they know nothing happens to them. A court order that bans them from the premises for up to 12 months, backed by two years’ imprisonment or a $50,000 fine, is exactly the kind of consequence that changes…

The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) is calling on the Victorian Government to immediately fast-track tobacco shop closure powers after another firebombing devastated multiple innocent businesses, warning every day of delay gives organised crime another opportunity to strike. AACS CEO Theo Foukkare said reports that around 10 neighbouring businesses had been impacted by the attack highlighted that Victoria’s illicit tobacco crisis was no longer confined to rogue tobacco shops. “Yet again, innocent business owners and the community have paid the price for organised crime,” Mr Foukkare said. “This wasn’t just an attack on one illegal tobacco store. It was an attack on an entire business community that should never have been put at risk in the first place. “The shop at the centre of this attack could have already been shut down. Instead, organised crime continues to operate while legitimate businesses are left to pick up the pieces.” Mr…

One Nation says what everyone is thinking about tobacco excise. The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has welcomed One Nation’s call to abolish tobacco excise, saying it is the first political party willing to openly acknowledge the role excessive taxation has played in creating Australia’s illicit tobacco crisis. AACS CEO Theo Foukkare said while the Association has consistently advocated for a 50 per cent reduction in tobacco excise to begin restoring legal trade and starving organised crime of customers, One Nation deserves credit for saying what many politicians privately admit. “Finally, a political party has said the quiet part out loud,” Mr Foukkare said. “Whether you support a 50 per cent reduction, a complete abolition, or something in between, the reality is the same: Australia’s tobacco excise settings have failed. “The Albanese Government has failed retailers, failed taxpayers, failed public health objectives and handed organised crime the business opportunity…

The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) says the Fair Work Commission’s decision to increase minimum and award wages by 4.75 per cent will add significant labour costs to a convenience sector already grappling with surging operating expenses, an escalating illicit tobacco trade eroding legitimate revenue, and some of the toughest trading conditions on record. AACS Chief Executive Officer Theo Foukkare said convenience retailers value their teams and support fair wages, but a decision of this magnitude cannot be considered in isolation — particularly when the sector’s own data shows labour costs have already risen much faster than inflation. “Convenience stores are the backbone of local communities — they open early, close late. Many are open around the clock — and we know our people are central to that,” Mr Foukkare said. “This decision lands on top of cost pressures that are already stretching operators to their limit. Our 2025…

We are excited to share that early this year, Bowser Bean has reached a remarkable fundraising milestone of $1 million for Make-A-Wish Australia! In celebration, we recently held a $1M Party at the BSL – Red Energy Arena Bendigo. Crew members, Make-A-Wish representatives, and key stakeholders gathered to celebrate this achievement with inspiring presentations, the unveiling of commemorative plaques, and heartfelt personal testimonials. This milestone reflects our 15 year partnership with Make A Wish Australia, and the ability to make a difference in the lives of critically ill children and their families. We are truly humbled by this achievement, and the combined efforts of our crew and customers over the years. The $1M Party came just a few days after this year’s World Wish Day – where once again, our network engaged in in-store fundraising activities and wore our themed t-shirts. This was a highly successful day raising over $6265!…

The latest national wastewater data has confirmed a troubling reality – nicotine consumption in Australia is rising, even as the legal market continues to collapse. The latest National Drug and Alcohol Wastewater survey shows national nicotine consumption increased by 4 per cent between August 2024 and August 2025, with levels now reaching historic highs across both capital cities and re-gional Australia. Regional areas continue to record higher consumption than capital cities, with the Northern Terri-tory now having the highest per capita nicotine consumption in the country. Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) CEO Theo Foukkare said the findings reinforce what retailers and communities have been warning for some time. “This data confirms what we’re seeing on the ground – more Australians are consuming nicotine, but they’re increas-ingly buying it from the black market instead of regulated retailers,” Mr Foukkare said. “The report also found that nicotine consumption has been trending…