Press Releases

Representatives of thousands of small businesses say tougher penalties on illicit tobacco sales is needed to halt criminal tobacco trade. The leaders of three major national retail groups representing thousands of businesses across the country have today welcomed a push from South Australia legislators that would see increased financial penalties inflicted on those who trade in illicit tobacco products, a market now worth billions of dollars in lost taxation revenue across Australia. In a joint statement, the leaders of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), the Master Grocers Association (MGA) and the Australian Lotteries and Newsagents Association (ALNA), said tougher penalties were overdue as the tobacco black market had increased in activity during the Covid-19 pandemic. SA Best’s Connie Bonaros and Frank Pangallo are calling on the South Australian Government to implement harsher penalties against those who trade in illicit tobacco. “It’s great to see South Australian legislators to…

The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has expressed its disappointment in the Federal Government’s lacklustre reply to a set of recommendations put forward in a report by the Joint  Parliamentary Committee on Law Enforcement (PJCLE) to help the convenience store industry fight against illicit tobacco. “Many of the recommendations put forward by the PJCLE were seen as highly workable solutions to significantly reduce the flow of illegal tobacco on the streets however the Government has largely ignored the plight of the convenience industry in their response” said Theo Foukkare the Chief Executive of AACS said. “Illicit tobacco not only costs the Federal Government billions of dollars in tax revenue each year, it hurts small retailers who are doing the right thing and playing by the rules. AACS members have had enough when it comes to stopping illegal tobacco and feel abandoned by the Morrison Government’s inaction”. Mr Foukkare added.…

Peak industry bodies the National Retail Association (NRA), the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), The Surf & Boardsports Industry Association (SBIA), Snowsports Industry of Australia (SIA), Restaurant & Catering Industry Association of Australia (RCA) and the Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) have backed moves by the New South Wales Government to repeal Section 19B of the Workers Compensation Act 1987. NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said that the repeal was crucial to helping New South Wales mum-and-dad retail businesses survive after experiencing such a harrowing year. “Under the current scenario any NSW retail worker who contracts COVID is automatically deemed to have done so at work. This presumption was fair enough at the start of the pandemic but with the economy now reopening it needs to be repealed,” Ms Lamb said. “We have now transitioned to a stage where not only is the presumption obsolete, but it will act as…

Representatives of thousands of small businesses say stronger police enforcement powers, appropriate licensing of tobacco sales, and on the spot fines are key to addressing the booming ‘chop chop’ market. The leaders of three major national retail representative groups representing thousands of businesses across the country have today welcomed reports that the Victorian Government will review its tobacco regulation framework with a view to cracking down on the burgeoning black market, which is now worth billions of dollars and costs an estimated $800 million in lost taxation revenue across Australia. In a joint statement, the leaders of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), the Master Grocers Association (MGA), and the Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association (ALNA) said any review must balance the urgent need for a crackdown on illegal tobacco sales through mechanisms such as a licencing scheme without creating unnecessary red tape for legitimate and law-abiding retailers. Reports…

The petrol and convenience sector in Australia are feeling the effects of the dramatic drop in international temporary visa holders and international students. Figures released by the ATO last week suggested that as a result of closed borders job vacancies within the retail trade had jumped 80% from 19000 to 35000 between February 2020 to May 2021. “The Petrol and Convenience sector have felt the full effects of labour shortages throughout the pandemic as we remained an essential service” said Theo Foukkare, the CEO of the Australian Associations of Convenience Stores. “Currently we have in excess of 10,000 vacancies within the sector, as the remainder of retail trade opens up in NSW and Victoria, the pressure for staffing will increase even further” Mr Foukkare added. A temporary relaxation of the student visa working hours cap of 40 hours per fortnight is currently in place for the aged care, NDIS providers,…

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have approved eight testing kits to be sold at retail. Hough Pharma will be one of the main brands being supplied to the Petrol and Convenience Sector with leading independent operators along with major chains 7-Eleven, Ampol & Coles Express rolling them out throughout November. “The Petrol and Convenience sector, particularly independent groups have been pushing hard for testing kits to be made available as soon as possible” said Theo Foukkare, the CEO of the Australian Associations of Convenience Stores “Our sector has been operating throughout the pandemic and have seen firsthand the effects that a positive case can have on other staff who have had to isolate for a period of time, which ultimately flows on to disruption in business operations” Mr Foukkare added. The testing kits will retail in petrol and convenience stores for around $30 for a pack of two. The self…