Page 1838 - Week 05 - Thursday, 16 May 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
As noted, the ACT government’s key response to the report has been to commence a holistic review of single-use plastic across the ACT. Plastic bags are just one part of the much broader issue of single-use plastics. We understand the importance of taking action on single-use plastic. Countries from around the world are starting to take the issue of single-use plastic much more seriously. We have noted that the European Union will ban single-use plastics by 2021, for example. Similarly, South Australia and the City of Hobart are going through a process similar to that in the ACT and are looking at phasing out unnecessary and problematic single-use plastics.
We realise that we can and should do more. To start a conversation about how we tackle this issue in the ACT, the discussion paper we have released is currently out for community consultation on phasing out single-use plastic. The discussion paper considers how we reduce the impact of single-use plastic while avoiding unnecessary impacts to industry, businesses and the community.
We know an important part of phasing out plastic is to build a circular economy where we work with industry to help design out and minimise problematic plastics coming into the waste stream and move to more sustainable alternatives where they exist. To support that, we are continuing to work with industry and the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation to develop innovative ways to meet the ambitious national packaging targets as well as our national waste policy.
It is also important to engage closely with industry, small business and the community in the ACT to make sure any government intervention is practical, particularly for consumers, and addresses important social equity concerns. We intend to do that through the targeted consultation over the coming months. I encourage everyone to provide feedback as part of that process.
In closing, I reiterate that reducing the use of single-use plastic is not confined to plastic shopping bags. The ACT government is committed to considering the broader issue of single-use plastic, in close consultation with the ACT community. I thank the Office of the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment for their work in delivering this informative report. I look forward to keeping the Assembly updated on the government’s efforts to further reduce single-use plastic in the ACT.
Debate (on motion by Ms Lee) adjourned to the next sitting.
Multicultural framework 2015-2020—second action plan 2019-2020
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister assisting the Chief Minister on Advanced Technology and Space Industries) (3.06): Pursuant to standing order 211, I move:
That the Assembly take note of the following paper:
ACT Multicultural Framework 2015-2020—Second Action Plan—2019-2020.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video