Should Be Included in Upcoming State Budget
The Tasmanian Greens today accused Environment Minister, Brian Wightman, of dragging his feet over the implementation of a state Waste Levy.
Greens Local Government spokesperson Tim Morris MP said that by proposing yet another discussion paper on an issue which has broad community support, and including LGAT, appears just a delaying mechanism when action is required.
“This further inbuilt delay by Minister Wightman is just plain unnecessary. It is critical that we get started sooner than later in implementing a waste levy,” Mr Morris said.
“If we do not see meaningful action soon, we will be in the disturbing situation of there not being any meaningful reform of Tasmania’s waste management system on this Minister’s watch.”
“There has been broad community acceptance of the need for a waste levy, to help fund initiatives such as a container deposit scheme, and importantly LGAT has also come on board recently.”
“Minister Wightman should be building on this momentum, rather than risk delaying it. And the first step of taking it seriously is for the Minister to formally submit a proposal for a waste levy into the state budget subcommittee process currently underway.”
Tim Morris MP Greens Local Government spokesperson Tuesday, 20 November 2012
