15th May 2024, 1:20 PM – Representatives Therapeutic Goods and Other Legislation Amendment (Vaping Reforms) Bill 2024 - Second Reading - Criticises Government

The majority voted against an amendment to the usual second reading motion, which is "that the bill be read a second time" (parliamentary jargon for agreeing with the main idea of the bill). This means the usual motion will remain unchanged. The amendment was introduced by Cowper MP Pat Conaghan (Nationals).

Amendment text

That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:

(1) criticises the Government for failing to control the illicit vaping market and failing to protect children against the proliferation of vaping products that have exploded in availability through a black market driven by organised crime;

(2) expresses its alarm that the current prescription-only model is failing, with only approximately 10 per cent of vapers purchasing their product legally through prescriptions;

(3) acknowledges the existence and strength of the $1 billion black market vape trade in Australia, which is fuelled by the importation of more than 100 million illicit disposable devices each year;

(4) recognises that resourcing of enforcement measures at the borders and the point of sale has been grossly insufficient and that policy measures such as prohibition have historically not worked;

(5) calls on the Government to consider all policies to prevent children from accessing and becoming addicted to vaping products; and

(6) further criticises the Government for failing to establish or fund its promised illicit tobacco and vaping commissioner".