Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 5 Hansard (3 May) . . Page.. 1407 ..

MR SMYTH (continuing):

The ACT Commissioner for the Environment in his recent report titled "Progress Towards a No Waste by 2010 Strategy" recommended waste legislation as an important element in meeting the Strategy's goals.

The impetus for this legislation has also come from our obligations to the National Environment Protection Council to implement the National Environment Protection Measure on Used Packaging Materials. The scheme is designed to greatly reduce the amount of used packaging which ends up in landfill.

This national measure will be implemented by way of an industry waste reduction plan or IWRP. This will provide a level playing field for the packaging industry, by ensuring that those brand owners of packaging who choose not to join the voluntary National Packaging Covenant will be regulated by this Industry Waste Reduction Plan.

Brand owners of packaging within the ACT have signed the voluntary national Packaging Covenant, either directly or under their parent company. By introducing this legislation, we will ensure that there is no safe haven within the ACT for brand owners who refuse to take up their responsibility to reduce waste from packaging.

The Bill also makes provision for me to control the delivery of the Territory's garbage and recycling services and to set fees and charges for the delivery of these services as well as for disposal. These powers are being transferred from the Building and Services Act and the Garbage Regulations, which will be repealed on 30 June 2001.

The Waste Minimisation Bill 2001 provides a strong framework, which can be built upon over time. Both negotiated and non-negotiated industry waste reduction plans can be developed for specific industry sectors if and when the circumstances require.

Other provisions of the Bill are for the making of regulations on related matters. Part 4 of the Bill covers enforcement issues; rights of authorised officers and Part 5 deals with miscellaneous issues including the review of decisions by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the determination of fees.

By implementing this legislation not only will we met our obligations under the Used Packaging National Environment Protection Measure, but we will now be eligible for accessing funding of up to $280,000 for the Territory from the Industry Transitional Fund, established under the National Packaging Covenant. This money can be used for projects such as the nationally significant "No Waste Education Centre".

Importantly, this legislation will have no adverse impact on business in the ACT.

This Bill provides a significant step forward in the implementation of the "No Waste by 2010" strategy and puts the ACT at the forefront of waste minimisation within Australia.

I commend the Bill to the Assembly.

Debate (on motion by Mr Corbell ) adjourned to the next sitting.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .