Page 1737 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 15 May 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
The possibility of a more concerted program to address coffee cups could be considered in the broader context of waste policy. This would allow analysis of relative priorities, how it fits with other strategies and the costs of implementation relative to the benefits. This could also include consideration of how localised programs could be part of a broader campaign. I think there are many ways we can approach this. Certainly the design and delivery of a campaign would require some degree of adequate funding to support its success.
We want to make sure that something like this is not destined to fail from the beginning by not adequately putting the effort into it. Analysis could also consider potential sources of funding for such a program, which might include revenues from the container deposit scheme, for example. I think there are a number of practicalities we need to have a look at here. I certainly agree that it would be worthwhile for government to consider the merits of the program to reduce disposable coffee cup usage within the next 12 months, as is flagged in Ms Orr’s motion.
It is critical that we act wisely to reduce waste, both for the health of the world’s oceans and waterways and to care for our environment here in the ACT. There is no doubt that here in the ACT we need to do more to reduce waste. When we look at the ecological footprint measured by our Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, it shows that the ACT has an exceptionally high ecological footprint because of—their speculation is—the relative wealth of the territory and, therefore, the relatively high level of consumption.
We have taken a number of steps to reduce that. I think the next State of the environment report will show a significant reduction because of our move to 100 per cent renewable electricity. Other measures like that are starting to bring it down. But what it tells us is that we started from a place where we had a lot of work to do and we need to be focused on measures like this.
I do have an amendment, which I now move:
Add new paragraph (2)(c):
“(c) report back to the Assembly on progress in November 2019.”.
I have moved this amendment as a friendly addition to Ms Orr’s motion because I think it is worthwhile to have a report back to the Assembly later in the year. I know there is real interest in this sort of approach and I think it would be good to keep it on the discussion topic here in the Assembly so that we can keep members updated and also keep the community updated. I think with something like this there might be a bit of a gap between design and implementation; so we can at least continue to provide information back.
On that basis, I commend my amendment to the Assembly and I also thank Ms Orr for bringing this matter before the Assembly today. Ms Le Couteur and I indicate that we are committed to continuing to improve our work in this area for the sake of our community and for future generations.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video