Page 377 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 19 February 2019
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the cafe and bar owners who want to play their part but also the punters who turn up to these venues. They know we need to do something different. We are in a place where we can take stronger and bolder steps to remove individual single-use plastics in our daily lives.
All members are aware of the many items we use regularly that could be replaced by a reusable, more sustainable option, and that is exactly the feedback we need to ensure that the government gets in response to the discussion paper that will be circulated. I think the community is up for it. People just want us to work hard to make sure that life remains practical and they can do the things they need to do. They are conscious of things like people with a disability and the particular needs they have and some of those other important practical considerations. But on the whole the community knows we can do better and can do more.
We are ready to have a mature conversation about whether we look at phasing out particular items, finding sustainable replacements or just doing things differently. That is the thing: there is no single answer; a range of strategies will need to be put in place. The Greens look forward to working with the government and the community on this issue because it will not solve itself. There needs to be drive, there needs to be leadership, and there need to be options available. But there is a huge amount we can do and that effort now will be a legacy we can be proud of and that future generations will thank us for.
We are starting to see proposals that we should burn plastics to get rid of them. Of course the consequences of that are the topic of a whole other speech. That is a terrible waste of resources, a potential source of pollutants and a really short-term fix. The people propagating that approach are just looking for a business-as-usual approach, and we need to go beyond business as usual.
I welcome the minister’s statement today. We have some work to do but there is a real enthusiasm both in here and in the community to get on and get something done.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Leave of absence
Motion (by Mr Gentleman) agreed to:
That leave of absence be granted to Ms Fitzharris for today and tomorrow due to illness.
Education (Child Safety in Schools) Legislation Amendment Bill 2018
Debate resumed from 29 November 2018, on motion by Ms Berry:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
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