From: News Mail
Warren Lynam
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The Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, the Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP, said the government was delivering on the 2016-17 Budget commitment to stop the illegal tobacco trade which the Australian Taxation Office has identified as a major revenue source for organised crime.
“Under the current legislation, before charges can be laid under the Excise or Customs Act, the origin of the illegal tobacco seized in Australia has to be proven. As the origin of tobacco cannot be readily determined, this obviously limits the ability to impose penalties even where substantial quantities are involved,” Minister O’Dwyer said.
