Organised crime is operating in plain sight.
Fast-track the laws to stop illicit tobacco.
Illegal tobacco stores are spreading across Western Australia, operating openly in suburban shopping centres and local main streets. These businesses are not only undermining legitimate retailers, they are helping organised crime profit at the expense of our communities.
That’s why MGA, together with the IGA WA State Board, has issued a letter calling on the WA Premier to fast-track landlord accountaility powers.
Queensland has already shown these laws work. By holding landlords accountable and giving them stronger powers to terminate leases with illegal operators, hundreds of illegal tobacco stores have been shut down in just six months. WA should not wait until 2027 to introduce similar reforms.
What we’re calling for
We are urging the WA Government to:
- Fast-track landlord accountability laws.
- Introduce stronger powers to permanently close illegal tobacco sellers.
- Give police and health authorities the tools they need to disrupt organised crime.
- Protect legitimate businesses and local communities.
Why this matters
This isn’t just a retail issue.
Illegal tobacconists are linked to organised criminal networks that profit from the illicit tobacco trade while undercutting law-abiding businesses.
When organised crime is allowed to establish itself in local shopping strips, the risks extend far beyond the sale of illicit tobacco. It threatens community safety, undermines confidence in our local retail precincts and makes it harder for legitimate businesses to compete fairly.
Every month of delay gives organised crime more time to establish itself in our communities.
Western Australia still has the opportunity to act before the problem grows further.
Letter to the WA Premier
Read the full Letter to the WA Premier below and learn why stronger laws are needed now.
Stand with us
If you’re a WA retailer, business owner or community member, you can help.
- Read the Open Letter.
- Share this page on social media.
- Tag your local WA MP and call on the WA Government to fast-track landlord accountability laws.
Together, we can send a clear message that organised crime has no place in our shopping strips or our communities.
Social Media Instructions:
Please help us amplify this campaign by:
- Download the campaign graphic.
- Find Your Local MP and tag them to the post
- Adding one sentence about why this matters to your business or community;
- Or copy and paste the below suggested social media post:
Illegal tobacconists are hurting legitimate businesses and helping organised crime thrive.
I’m supporting MGA’s call for the WA Government to fast-track landlord accountability laws.Premier, we can’t wait until 2027.
@[Insert Local MP]
#FastTrackTheLaw
Stand with MGA and help us send a clear message to the WA Government: fast-track the laws and shut illegal tobacco stores for good.
