Latest news with #TaskforceLunar
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
‘Delusional': Victorian government ridiculed after revealing plan to have just 14 inspectors enforce new tobacco licensing scheme
Victoria's new tobacco licensing scheme has been ridiculed by opposition and crossbench MPs after the Allan government revealed there would be just 14 inspectors to enforce new laws. Premier Jacinta Allan's government is implementing a licensing scheme as part of its attempts to combat the state's ongoing illicit tobacco wars. There have been at least 125 arson attacks and 130 arrests connected to the conflict since March 2023, which has seen outlaw motorcycle gangs and organised crime groups battle for control of a black market trade estimated to be worth $5 billion. Details of the new tobacco licensing scheme were revealed on Wednesday, with the Allan government claiming it would begin the process to 'break the business model of organised crime'. From July, businesses will be able to apply for licenses to sell cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco-related products, with enforcement for the new scheme to begin in February next year. Under the scheme, any person found to be selling illicit tobacco will face fines of up to $355,000 or up to 15 years in jail, while businesses will face fines of more than $1.7 million. In announcing the scheme, the Allan government claimed it was 'delivering boots on the ground to crack down on those breaking the law and backing the work of Victoria Police to disrupt the illicit tobacco trade.' But the $46 million scheme is set to be enforced by just 14 licensing inspectors. The government said the inspectors, who will work for Tobacco Licensing Victoria, will 'hit the streets to hold illegal operators to account'. The inspectors will also support Victoria Police's Taskforce Lunar – set up to combat the illicit tobacco trade – by providing them with additional intelligence. But Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin said the plan was akin to sending parking inspectors to confront hardened criminals. 'They're saying they're bringing in 14 inspectors to go out for a problem that is involving bikies, bombings and fires here across our state,' Mr Battin said. 'We're going to be effectively sending in parking officers to fix a problem of massive crime and corruption here in Victoria. That is a big problem.' The Liberal leader – who is a former police officer – said the state's tobacco laws could only be combatted by Victoria Police. 'We're not talking about walking into a shop for someone who stole a Mars bar. We're talking about organised crime who have used fire bombings on more than 100 occasions across the state. You can't send in someone who's not qualified and trained to stop that crime,' he said. 'You've got to send Victoria Police to fix this issue. And that means intervention earlier. That means working with Victoria Police to give them the powers that they need to stop these crimes happening. 'We need to make sure Victoria Police have the powers. We need to make sure Victoria Police have the staffing they can to go out and address this issue.' The government's announcement has also come under fire from Victorian Libertarian MP David Limbrick, who compared the plan to hire 14 illicit tobacco inspectors for the entire state of Victoria with the estimated 300 inspectors in Chicago to enforce alcohol prohibition in the 1920 – a city of around 3 million people. 'If the Victorian Government thinks 14 inspectors will suppress a multi-billion dollar industry, they are delusional. They seem to have no idea about the scale of organised crime in this state,' Mr Limbrick told The Libertarian MP backed NSW Premier Chris Minns' recent calls for a federal review of the tobacco excise, which has been cited as a major driver of the illicit tobacco trade. 'Until such time as federal excise is reduced, organised crime will continue to control the tobacco industry in this state,' Mr Limbrick said.
Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Straits Times
Aussie police video shows shocking moment when arsonist sets himself on fire by accident
A video released by the Victoria state police shows a man accidentally setting himself on fire inside the Al Marjan restaurant on May 21, 2024. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM VICTORIA POLICE/FACEBOOK Aussie police video shows shocking moment when arsonist sets himself on fire by accident Think of it as an occupational hazard that you won't get workmen's compensation for. A man in Melbourne tried to torch a restaurant in a targeted attack but ended up setting his clothes on fire. A video of the 2024 incident – edited with footages taken from security cameras – was released on May 28 by the Victoria state police in Australia in an appeal to the public to help find the suspect. It is not clear why the police released the video one year after the incident. The man tried to burn down the Al Marjan restaurant in South Melbourne on May 21, 2024, said the police. He forced his way into the restaurant by ramming its door with his car at around 4.30am that day. In the video, a man in a black jacket with its hood pulled up is seen pouring accelerant out of a red jerrycan onto the floor and at the bar. He slips and slides around as the flammable liquid greases the floor, barely able to keep his balance, and seemingly oblivious that he is also splashing the liquid on himself. He sets the accelerant on fire, and tries to run away, but the fire quickly catches the legs of his tracksuit. The man drops and rolls on the floor to extinguish the flame spreading to his clothes. The next clip shows him already outside the restaurant and running towards his car, his pants still on fire. He drops to the ground again and rolls a few times. When he finally manages to put out the fire, he steps into the car and is apparently driven off by an accomplice. 'This is yet another example of just how unpredictable fire is and the inherent dangers of arson. It is probable this man will have needed some kind of treatment for significant burns,' Taskforce Lunar Detective Inspector Graham Banks said in a statement released on May 28. 'Detectives are hopeful that today's release of CCTV will provide further avenues of enquiry, and that someone may recognise the man and provide information on his current whereabouts,' Victoria police said on Facebook. The restaurant reported minor damage from the attempted arson, but it was again targeted on Nov 6, 2024. 'We are conscious that those involved in lighting the fires are likely the puppets for those pulling the strings in this syndicate, and they are being left with serious – or life changing, as we've seen previously – burn injuries,' said Insp Banks. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Arsonist caught on camera setting himself alight while trying to burn down restaurant
The moment an arsonist sets himself alight during a botched attack on a Middle Eastern restaurant has been captured on camera. Footage from inside Al Marjan in Melbourne, Australia, shows the man pouring liquid on benchtops and furniture before setting the restaurant - and himself - on fire. The crook, wearing a black hooded jumper, inadvertently doused himself in petrol as he used a jerry can to pour the accelerant all over the restaurant. In the footage, the arsonist is seen dropping to the ground in an attempt to extinguish himself before stumbling several times as he raced out the door. The man had arrived in a silver Mercedes Benz E240, which he rammed through the door of the restaurant to get inside. Detectives believe the incident is linked to the state's illegal tobacco trade and have established a special taskforce to catch those responsible. 'This is yet another example of just how unpredictable fire is and the inherent dangers of arson,' Taskforce Lunar Detective Inspector Graham Banks said. 'It is probable this man will have needed some kind of treatment for significant burns.' Emergency services were called to the Al Marjan restaurant, on the Hume Highway, shortly after the man had fled. Detectives said the Mercedes used to ram through the restaurant's door has since been recovered with cloned license plates.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Wild moment alleged arsonist sets himself alight during bungled attack inside a Middle Eastern restaurant
The moment an alleged arsonist sets himself alight during a botched attack on a Middle Eastern restaurant has been captured on CCTV. Footage from inside Al Marjan in Campbellfield, in Melbourne 's north, shows the man pouring liquid on benchtops and furniture before setting the restaurant - and himself - on fire just before 4.30am on May 21, 2024. The man, wearing a black hooded jumper, inadvertently doused himself in petrol as he used a jerry can to pour the accelerant all over the restaurant. In the CCTV, the alleged arsonist is seen dropping to the ground in an attempt to extinguish himself before stumbling several times as he raced out the door. The man had arrived in a silver Mercedes Benz E240 which he rammed through the door of the restaurant to gain access. Detectives believe the incident is linked to the state's illegal tobacco trade and have established a special taskforce to catch those responsible. 'This is yet another example of just how unpredictable fire is and the inherent dangers of arson,' Taskforce Lunar Detective Inspector Graham Banks said. 'It is probable this man will have needed some kind of treatment for significant burns.' Det Insp Banks said he hoped the release of the CCTV footage would incentivise anyone who recognised the man to come forward with new information. Emergency services were called to the Al Marjan restaurant, on the Hume Highway, shortly after the man had fled. Fire Rescue Victoria said the business sustained minor damage from the incident. Detectives said the Mercedes used to ram through the restaurant's door has since been recovered with cloned numberplates. Al Marjan was attacked again several months later on November 6.
Sky News AU
28-05-2025
- Sky News AU
‘Inherent dangers of arson': Victoria Police release video of arsonist's mishap in Campbellfield in appeal for information
Victoria Police has released images and CCTV footage of an arson attack in Melbourne's outer north in the hopes it will help them track down the unknown offender. The incident occurred at Al Marjan restaurant in Campbellfield, about 17 kilometres north of Melbourne, which occurred about 4.30am on May 21 last year. 'A silver Mercedes Benz E240 sedan was used to ram the door of the business, before a man in the passenger seat forced his way into the premises carrying a red jerry can,' Victoria Police said in a statement. The footage showed a man dressed in black pants and a black hoodie repeatedly stumbling as he pours the contents of the jerry can over the bar of the restaurant. The offender proceeds to light the accelerant, only for his clothes to also become engulfed in flames. After falling on the restaurant floor, the man ran outside and jumped back in the Mercedes. Realising he is still on fire, the arsonist attempted to extinguish the flames by 'rolling on the wet ground'. Victoria Police said investigators had released the images and CCTV footage of the incident in the hope someone may recognise the man and can provide information on his whereabouts. The man is described as approximately 170-175 centimetres tall with a large build and an olive complexion. 'We are doing everything we can to bring this dispute and the criminality linked to it to an end, but we need the community's support and assistance,' Detective Inspector Graham Banks from Victoria Police's Taskforce Lunar said. Det Insp Banks said the incident was also 'yet another example of just how unpredictable fire is and the inherent dangers of arson'. 'We are conscious that those involved in lighting the fires are likely the puppets for those pulling the strings in this syndicate, and they are being left with serious – or life-changing, as we've seen previously – burn injuries,' he said. 'It is probable this man will have needed some kind of treatment for significant burns.' The fast response from Fire Rescue Victoria ensured Al Marjan restaurant only sustained minor damage during the incident. However the business was targeted in a second arson attack on November 6. Anyone who recognises the man or with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at
