The Tasmanian Greens today secured State Parliamentary support for pushing Commonwealth, State and Territory Environment Ministers to complete the assessment for a national container deposit scheme in a timely manner and end perpetual uncertainty over the likelihood of a national scheme.

Greens Environment Spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP welcomed the move but also acknowledged Minister Wightman’s concern that the chances of a national Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) are slim.

“Successive Commonwealth, State and Territory Environment Ministers have dragged their heels over this issue for more than a decade, no doubt to the great satisfaction of the beverage industry which has blocked a national scheme at every turn and just recently taken the Northern Territory government to court in a bid to kill off its State-based CDS which began last year,” Ms O’Connor said.

“The aggressive lobbying of multinational beverage companies opposed to CDS is taking its toll on the chances of a national scheme.”

“This process has become far more protracted than it needed to be, and it’s time that some commitments were made rather than Ministers continually referring off for another study or impact statement.”

“Enough really is enough. If a national scheme is assessed as unfeasible, or delegated to the too-hard basket, we need to know as soon as possible so that Tasmania can move ahead with a State-based scheme similar to that which has operated in South Australia for three decades.”

“The South Australian experience is that CDS is great for small business, social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations like the Scouts, all of whom can generate an income from container collection while keeping South Australia beautiful.”

“Tasmania has the highest littering rate in the nation, contaminating our landscapes, waterways and marine environment as well as wasting resources that can be reused and recycled.”

“If we are serious about our clean, green brand and a healthy environment, a CDS must be a priority. If a national scheme is not going to eventuate, we need to just get on with it.”

“The Greens will continue to push hard on this issue until Tasmania has a State-based container deposit scheme. It just makes good environmental, economic and social sense,” Ms O’Connor said.
Cassy O’Connor MP Greens Environment Spokesperson