Page 1415 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 1 May 1990
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MR DUBY (Minister for Finance and Urban Services) (3.55): We have heard the Leader of the Opposition attack this Government over the decision to close the Ainslie Transfer Station. I note, however, that the wording of the matter of public importance refers to the need to retain the Ainslie Transfer Station. It would appear that most of Ms Follett's speech was directed at attacking the decision and the decision making process, and in no way tried to justify the need to retain the Ainslie Transfer Station.
Ms Follett: You should have read the report.
MR DUBY: The decision that the Government has made is entirely consistent with our Government's environment policy which was released only a few months ago. We have heard lots of questions about whether we have read the report of the waste management committee. I wonder how many people on the other side have bothered to read this Government's environment policy, which has been hailed by bodies such as the Conservation Council as being the most comprehensive environment policy of any government in the Commonwealth of Australia.
Mrs Grassby: Where did you get that from? He must have made that one up, Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker.
MR DUBY: We are into the hackling and the cackling. That policy statement begins with our objective - to produce harmony between the retention and enhancing of the natural ecosystem, on the one hand, and human needs and aspirations, on the other. That policy document goes on to note that the operative word is "balance". Our stance on waste management and recycling is even more clearly stated. Our objective, as noted in the environment policy document, is to reduce waste production in society and to increase recycling. This is an objective that has far-reaching and long-term implications, and the Government is currently developing plans to progress towards it.
One element of this process is the preparation of the Government's response to the report on commercial and domestic waste management by the Assembly's Standing Committee on Conservation, Heritage and Environment. Mr Temporary Deputy Speaker, again I wish to make the point which I emphasised today in question time, that that committee's recommendations did not include the future of the Ainslie Transfer Station per se but the report did consider recycling and waste management practices. The Government believes that the closure of this facility is consistent with the committee's report and its objective of providing for the effective, long-term disposal of wastes.
Mr Wood: Now, that is a nonsense. That is really a nonsense.
MR DUBY: Mr Wood, how can you say such a thing? (Quorum formed)
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