MINISTER DUMPS WASTE LEVY

The Tasmanian Greens today slammed the Environment Minister Brian Wightman MP for his backflip on support for a state wide waste levy.

In Question Time today, Greens Member for Lyons Tim Morris MP called on Mr Wightman to provide a timeframe for the introduction of waste levy legislation, following the Minister’s reported comments in support of the initiative.

“After many questions from the Greens on the introduction of a waste levy over several years, finally the Minister has revealed he has no intention of introducing a levy,” Mr Morris said.

“Ten months ago, the Local Government Association of Tasmania agreed to support a waste levy, to help address the massive amount of waste going into landfill.”

“The Minister’s refusal to act shows that he fails to understand how a waste levy would reduce the cost of putting waste into land fill, and would increase employment in waste recovery and reuse.”

“Investing in alternatives is essential if the state wants to curb and reduce the 500,000 tonnes of waste buried every year.”

“Most of the material going to landfill could be recovered and recycled if the appropriate systems where in place and adequate funding available.”

“The waste levy would also help fund the under resourced EPA to improve monitoring and compliance, and assist regional waste authorities and local government to implement solutions.”

“The Greens will continue support the wishes of local government we will continue to do what we can to bring in a waste levy at $10 per tonne of waste sent to landfill.”
Tim Morris MP Greens Local Government Spokesperson Wednesday, 22 May 2013