The Tasmanian Greens today called on the state Environment Minister Brian Wightman to take a formal Tasmanian position to the upcoming Ministerial Council committing Tasmania to introducing a state-based container deposit scheme if no agreement was reached on the timely introduction of a national scheme.
Greens Environment spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP today tabled a motion calling for in-principle support for a state-based Container Deposit Scheme to be adopted, in the absence of a federal decision. [1]
Ms O’Connor said that Mr Wightman and his Federal counterpart Tony Burke should take into consideration the economic upside of a container deposit scheme, along with the obvious environmental benefits.
“Minister Wightman has shown a distinct lack of interest in pursuing state-based container deposit scheme, and the Greens hope that Tony Burke will now step up to show some leadership,” said Ms O’Connor.
“The Greens welcome Mr Burke’s recent commitment to discuss the issue with state ministers and what we now need to see is a clear proposal for an implementation timeframe.”
“The upcoming meeting of Ministers will provide an opportunity for ministers to show that they care about container litter, and to end the ongoing and unjustifiable inaction over this issue.”
“It’s true that implementing a container deposit scheme would cost money, but we need to remember that such an investment would also create a whole new industry, with hundreds of new jobs.”
“Any costs associated with starting up a container deposit scheme also need to be weighed against the significant environmental costs of doing nothing, and letting our waterways stay choked up with plastic and glass.”
“Young Tasmanians looking for pocket money, small business enterprises and Tasmania’s ready and able workforce of people living with disability could all benefit from CDS jobs.”
“Tasmania is a national disgrace when it comes to rates of litter and recycling rates, and while other Australian states are putting in place their own container deposit schemes we are being left behind in a mess of our own making.”
[1] Notice of Motion tabled this morning by Greens Environment spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP:
That this House:
1. Acknowledges that Tasmania has the worst recycling rates in Australia with just 14 per cent of all waste recycled per year and also one of the highest rates of littering;
2. Notes that these rates could be tempered through the introduction of a state-based Container Deposit Scheme;
3. Recognises that according to the EMRS survey of May 2011, 91 per cent of the Tasmanian Community support a Container Deposit Scheme in the State;
4. Further acknowledges the successful vote of support for a state-based Container Deposit Scheme from the Legislative Council in November 2011;
5. Calls on the Minister for Environment to take to the next Ministerial Council (Standing Council on Environment and Water) scheduled for Friday the 24th of August this year, as the formal State position that a National Container Deposit Scheme is to be adopted and that there needs to be a clear timeframe for its introduction; and
6. Further, should Tasmania be a lone voice in the fight for timely National Container Deposit legislation, that this House provides in-principle support for state-based Container Deposit Scheme to be implemented in the absence of a Federal decision.
Cassy O’Connor MP Greens Environment Spokesperson Monday, 14 May 2012
