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FRIDAY, November 15, 2024
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LIVING THE GOOD LIFE Baptist Church’s big plans
THERE’S a buzz in the air as winemaking families in the beautiful King Valley prepare to welcome visitors to the 2024 La Dolce Vita festival this weekend. Get set to feast, dance and taste, with great food, live music, new release wines and spritzy cocktails on offer at the nine participating wineries, along with heaps of family entertainment. Katherine Brown (Brown Brothers), Natalie Pizzini (Pizzini Wines), Sophie Darling (Darling Estate), Jasmine Baldry (Dal Zotto Wines), Lara Corsini and Leticia Box Corsini (La Cantina King Valley), Jacques Simian (Politini Wines) and front, Grace Darling, pictured in the Darling Estate vineyard, invite everyone to come and join the party. ■ Story page 17. PHOTO: Anita McPherson
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The amazing Steyns
A tall task
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Sport
SMOKE & MIRRORS DETAILS around the introduction of a new illicit tobacco sale regulator have been queried by local parliamentary figures as the State Government makes a move to stamp out illicit tobacco trade. Premier Jacinta Allan announced on Tuesday the State Government would be introducing the toughest penalties for illicit tobacco trade in the country as a part of new legislation to be brought forward in parliament. The bill will establish a
State MP, former MP look for more detail in belated chop p chop p crackdown BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au
tobacco business licensing scheme, more search and seizure powers for police, a new tobacco regulator and penalties of up to 15 years in prison or fines of up to $355,000 for illicit tobacco sellers in the state. Businesses could face fines of up to $1.7 million in fines.
WANGARATTA
is celebrating
Sat 16th Nov
Ms Allan said the new measures would build on the work of Victoria Police’s Taskforce Lunar, which has already seen more than 80 offenders arrested and $37 million worth of cash, vapes and illegal tobacco products seized. The changes come after the issue was first raised in parliament by former Wangaratta-based upper house MP Tania Maxwell in November 2020. Ms Maxwell helped
initiate an inquiry undertaken by Better Regulation Victoria (BRV) in 2022 which investigated challenges Victoria faced in the enforcement of tobacco laws. A separate inquiry was launched this year, which Ms Maxwell labelled as a “stalling tactic” from the State Government. The new legislation incorporates key recommendations made in the inquiries including the
establishment of a licensing scheme and tougher penalties. The BRV report said the majority of enforcement of Victoria’s tobacco laws was carried out by local council officers, who often lack the skills and support to investigate such offences. State Government’s new measures include the establishment of a new tobacco regulator, with dedicated inspectors to “hit the streets” with
Victoria Police and will be responsible for enforcement and compliance of licences. Now a Rural City of Wangaratta councillor-elect, Ms Maxwell said while it was a step in the right direction to finally see an illicit tobacco crackdown being made, it remained unclear who the new regulators would be and whether enforcement would still be under the remit of council. ■ Continued page 2
$5 from every tyre sold on Friday November 15th and Saturday November 16th will be donated to McHappy Day Ph: 5721 8488
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