Story perspectives

Julian Hill Introduces Customs Act Overhaul, New Illicit-Tobacco Offences

9/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Julian Hill will introduce legislation Thursday to modernise the Customs Act and create new illicit-tobacco offences.
The offences let prosecutors prove illicit entry using cheap prices, non-compliant packaging or missing import documents.
Treasury estimates tobacco excise revenue fell from $16.3 billion six years ago to $4.1 billion this year.
Labor Health Minister Mark Butler says enforcement, not tax cuts, is the government’s preferred approach to curb the black market.

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Story summary

Julian Hill will introduce legislation Thursday to modernise the Customs Act and create new illicit-tobacco offences.
The offences let prosecutors prove illicit entry using cheap prices, non-compliant packaging or missing import documents.
Treasury estimates tobacco excise revenue fell from $16.3 billion six years ago to $4.1 billion this year.
Labor Health Minister Mark Butler says enforcement, not tax cuts, is the government’s preferred approach to curb the black market.