❓ Question regarding the introduction of a container deposit scheme in WA, modelled on the SA scheme, aiming to reduce litter and increase recycling rates. The Minister acknowledges the scheme's importance and addresses criticisms from the opposition.
AnsweredQoN 508Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME
508. Ms E. EVANGEL to the Minister for
Environment:
I refer to the announcement today by
the Premier and the minister regarding the introduction of a container deposit
scheme. Could the minister please update the house on this exciting initiative?
508. Ms E. EVANGEL to the Minister for
Environment:
I refer to the announcement today by
the Premier and the minister regarding the introduction of a container deposit
scheme. Could the minister please update the house on this exciting initiative?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Perth for the
question. Before I begin my answer, I acknowledge the staff and students from
Kingsway Christian College who are in the public gallery with us today,
especially since that is my old school. I clearly should be able to answer this
question with them here.
This government decision will be
very important for these students come mid-2018. This government has pursued an
ambitious program of waste reform since coming into government, with a range of
programs and mechanisms to drive up our recycling rates and to reduce litter
rates in Western Australia. We are also always listening to the community; we
are always open to feedback and input. We firmly believe that now is the right
time to bring in a container deposit scheme in Western Australia.
Several members interjected.
Mr
A.P. JACOB : This container deposit scheme will be modelled —
Mr
P.B. Watson interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I know you are excited, but relax.
Mr
A.P. JACOB : This container deposit scheme will be modelled on the
well-known South Australian scheme.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members, please!
Mr
A.P. JACOB : I am sure that every member in this house, and indeed the
people in the gallery, has seen on the sides of bottles when they have
purchased drinks that they could get a 10c refund in South Australia if the
bottles were returned to a collection depot. From mid-2018, we will provide the
opportunity to receive a 10c refund on bottles in Western Australia. This
initiative will make a huge difference to our litter rates. If members look at
the presence of beverage-container litter in South Australia, it sits at around
2.2 per cent of the litter stream; in Western Australia, it is 13.2 per cent.
This scheme is clearly the key mechanism to address this, and it will also be a
very important mechanism to drive up recycling rates.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the second time.
The drone is becoming tiresome.
Mr
A.P. JACOB : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have caught some of the comments from
members opposite as well and I will get to them in a second. Another part of
the reason why it is a very good time to bring in this scheme is that
Queensland is also bringing in a scene from mid-2018. New South Wales —
Mr
P. Papalia interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the third time.
Mr
A.P. JACOB : New South Wales will also bring in its scheme from mid-2017. As
a government, we have consistently held the position that we would prefer a national
approach. Now that a national approach has fallen over, we seek to align as
closely as possible with other states.
Two themes have come out from
opposition members today. The first is that I think we were accused of
plagiarising a concept that they had.
Several members interjected.
Mr
A.P. JACOB : First of all, members opposite never did it!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the second time; and member
for Kwinana, for the first time. Quick answer, please.
Mr A.P. JACOB : What I have observed is that Labor is good
at —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I call you to order for the first
time. We are getting nowhere today.
Mr A.P. JACOB : They talk a big game in opposition. The
Liberal–National government delivers for the environment. We do not
faff around. We have made the decision; it is coming in.
The other interesting point related to comments about a piece of legislation
that came in 2011. I acknowledge that the former Leader of the Opposition Hon
Eric Ripper brought container deposit legislation into this chamber.
Mr C.J. Tallentire : You said it was a tax.
Mr A.P. JACOB : No, I did not say it on that one; I said it
elsewhere.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Gosnells, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty
seconds!
Mr A.P. JACOB : The former Leader of the Opposition did
bring in a bill, but the current Leader of the Opposition never brought it on
for debate; he let it lapse off the notice paper. Even in opposition, members
opposite could not be bothered pursuing it. This government delivers. This
government continues to deliver. Members opposite talk a big game and they
never achieve.
question. Before I begin my answer, I acknowledge the staff and students from
Kingsway Christian College who are in the public gallery with us today,
especially since that is my old school. I clearly should be able to answer this
question with them here.
This government decision will be
very important for these students come mid-2018. This government has pursued an
ambitious program of waste reform since coming into government, with a range of
programs and mechanisms to drive up our recycling rates and to reduce litter
rates in Western Australia. We are also always listening to the community; we
are always open to feedback and input. We firmly believe that now is the right
time to bring in a container deposit scheme in Western Australia.
Several members interjected.
Mr
A.P. JACOB : This container deposit scheme will be modelled —
Mr
P.B. Watson interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Albany, I know you are excited, but relax.
Mr
A.P. JACOB : This container deposit scheme will be modelled on the
well-known South Australian scheme.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members, please!
Mr
A.P. JACOB : I am sure that every member in this house, and indeed the
people in the gallery, has seen on the sides of bottles when they have
purchased drinks that they could get a 10c refund in South Australia if the
bottles were returned to a collection depot. From mid-2018, we will provide the
opportunity to receive a 10c refund on bottles in Western Australia. This
initiative will make a huge difference to our litter rates. If members look at
the presence of beverage-container litter in South Australia, it sits at around
2.2 per cent of the litter stream; in Western Australia, it is 13.2 per cent.
This scheme is clearly the key mechanism to address this, and it will also be a
very important mechanism to drive up recycling rates.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
D.J. Kelly interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the second time.
The drone is becoming tiresome.
Mr
A.P. JACOB : Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have caught some of the comments from
members opposite as well and I will get to them in a second. Another part of
the reason why it is a very good time to bring in this scheme is that
Queensland is also bringing in a scene from mid-2018. New South Wales —
Mr
P. Papalia interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Member for Warnbro, I call you to order for the third time.
Mr
A.P. JACOB : New South Wales will also bring in its scheme from mid-2017. As
a government, we have consistently held the position that we would prefer a national
approach. Now that a national approach has fallen over, we seek to align as
closely as possible with other states.
Two themes have come out from
opposition members today. The first is that I think we were accused of
plagiarising a concept that they had.
Several members interjected.
Mr
A.P. JACOB : First of all, members opposite never did it!
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the first time.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for West Swan, I call you to order for the second time; and member
for Kwinana, for the first time. Quick answer, please.
Mr A.P. JACOB : What I have observed is that Labor is good
at —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I call you to order for the first
time. We are getting nowhere today.
Mr A.P. JACOB : They talk a big game in opposition. The
Liberal–National government delivers for the environment. We do not
faff around. We have made the decision; it is coming in.
The other interesting point related to comments about a piece of legislation
that came in 2011. I acknowledge that the former Leader of the Opposition Hon
Eric Ripper brought container deposit legislation into this chamber.
Mr C.J. Tallentire : You said it was a tax.
Mr A.P. JACOB : No, I did not say it on that one; I said it
elsewhere.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Gosnells, I call you to order for the first time. Thirty
seconds!
Mr A.P. JACOB : The former Leader of the Opposition did
bring in a bill, but the current Leader of the Opposition never brought it on
for debate; he let it lapse off the notice paper. Even in opposition, members
opposite could not be bothered pursuing it. This government delivers. This
government continues to deliver. Members opposite talk a big game and they
never achieve.
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