Opposition leader proposes cutting tobacco excise by 80% to curb black market

In a bid to address the growing illicit tobacco market, Opposition leader Angus Taylor unveiled a policy to cut the excise duty on a standard 20-cigarette packet from roughly $30 to about $6, an 80% reduction. Public-health experts have cautioned that lowering the price could reverse decades of progress in reducing smoking rates. The Coalition simultaneously promised to legalise, regulate and tax adult vaping devices and nicotine pouches, which are presently banned.

The announcement came as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continued his participation in the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau, where climate change discussions dominate. Additional updates in the live blog included a $2 million boost for the Call It Out register, which tracks racism incidents against First Nations people. The funding will support staffing, website development and public awareness efforts, according to Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy and project partners.