Page 3405 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 22 August 2018
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positive impact on our environment, particularly when it comes to single-use plastic. The crux of the motion is: how can we reduce our single-use plastic, and particularly the amount that is generated, so that it does not become waste? It is good to recycle, and it is great to reduce the amount we are using, but, in the first instance, we need to look at how we avoid generating waste in the first place. It is important for the environment, as we have all noted in our speeches, because there are significant impacts, not just for our waterways but for our landfill and other parts.
The other part of the motion that I wish to draw members’ attention to is that it is not just about what we have done. We have had quite a bit of debate about the things that we have done in the past. It is also about looking for opportunities in the future, because this is a big task, and we all need to get on board and do it.
The community have shown that they want to see action in this area. We have noted how War on Waste has sparked the imagination of people. Someone stopped me at an event the other night to give me their ideas, based on War on Waste, of everything we could do in the ACT. I have also seen businesses embracing the straws suck campaign. I know there are many businesses, including one in particular, Frankies at Forde, who have already moved to using only keep cups and not using disposable cups.
What has come up in this conversation is that we need bigger, bolder actions, which I wholeheartedly support. I would like to go for gold on this issue; I think that is probably the easiest way to say it. But we do need to acknowledge those small behavioural changes that individuals, groups and organisations make, because at the end of the day it all matters. What may be a small, symbolic gesture—changing to a keep cup, for example—also raises awareness of the wider issue that is out there, and gets more buy-in from the community to take those bigger, bolder actions.
It is important that we have that support going forward. I will continue to bring forward motions in this place asking for more action in this area, because it is important for our environment. We have to look after our environment so that it can look after us.
Amendments agreed to.
Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.
Youth—P-plate driver restrictions
MISS C BURCH (Kurrajong) (11.45): I move:
That this Assembly:
(1) notes that:
(a) young Canberrans commute to and from places of employment late in the evening and early in the morning, particularly those who are shift-workers and those employed in the hospitality and trades industries;
(b) there are few other safe transport options available at these times of day, and a curfew on P-plater drivers may prevent many young Canberrans from working;
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