Waste Reduction and Recycling (Waste Levy) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2018

Moved the disallowance motion against the waste levy, arguing it was a fundamental breach of trust as the government promised only four new taxes before the election, and that the levy is nothing more than a money grab that will hurt businesses and households.

“The disallowance motion has been moved because it was a poorly thought out tax. It was a breach of trust. Those opposite know full well that it is nothing more than a money grab.”— 2019-08-20View Hansard

Continued her reply to the second reading debate, defending the 70 per cent hypothecation of levy funds and moving 48 government amendments during consideration in detail including deferring commencement to 1 July 2019 and exemptions for serious local events, acid sulphate soils, and plantation forestry waste.

“The only reason Queensland is in the situation we are currently in—where we are on the receiving end of interstate dumping—is that in 2012 the LNP recklessly repealed the waste levy we had in this state.”— 2019-02-14View Hansard

As minister, moved the second reading and outlined the bill's purpose to introduce a waste levy to stop interstate dumping, stimulate recycling investment, and modernise waste management. Announced amendments to defer commencement to 1 July 2019 and various exemptions.

“For six long years Queensland has been burdened with the legacy of the former LNP government's decision to repeal the previous waste levy.”— 2019-02-13View Hansard

Spoke against the disallowance motion, arguing the waste levy had only been in place for 50 days and that the opposition could not talk the talk on the environment without walking the walk.

“You cannot just talk the talk when it comes to the environment; you have to walk the walk.”— 2019-08-20View Hansard

Led LNP opposition, arguing the $1.3 billion levy is a tax grab that was not disclosed before the election, will hurt families and businesses, and that nearly 90 per cent of funds will go to government rather than the environment.

“We will be opposing it because it is not a levy at all, it is a tax, it is a money grab, and even with the minister's concessions today still nearly 90 per cent of funds collected will return to government in some form or another.”— 2019-02-13View Hansard

Supported the disallowance motion, arguing the levy is a revenue strategy not a waste strategy, and that disposal costs would double or quadruple for many companies, hurting regional communities.

“It has been said already that this is not a waste strategy; it is a revenue strategy.”— 2019-08-20View Hansard

As LNP committee member, opposed the bill and raised concerns about impacts on regional councils and the inclusion of Mount Isa in the levy zone.

“The member for Scenic Rim also expressed concerns about the impact of the levy on regional areas.”— 2019-02-13View Hansard

As Minister for Housing and Public Works, spoke against the disallowance motion, defending the waste levy's role in supporting the $2.1 billion recycling industry and 11,000 Queensland jobs.

“Why on earth would anyone come into this place and undermine an emerging recycling industry that is worth $2.1 billion and supports 11,000 Queensland jobs?”— 2019-08-20View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting the devastating impact of the LNP's 2012 levy removal on Ipswich, which became the dumping ground for interstate waste with major landfills accepting the bulk of Queensland's waste.

“The need for a waste levy in Queensland cannot be understated and can no longer be ignored. We need it to stop the interstate trucks coming across our border, and we need it to kick-start investment in the recycling industry in Queensland.”— 2019-02-13View Hansard

Supported the disallowance motion, calling the waste levy nothing but a tax grab with $9 out of every $10 going straight into Treasury coffers rather than waste reduction.

“This waste levy and the regulation that is putting in place the waste levy is nothing but a tax grab.”— 2019-08-20View Hansard

Spoke on the integrated transport planning report in the same section, criticising road maintenance underfunding at only 16 per cent of need, but context indicates he aligned with LNP opposition to the waste levy.

“Pavement rehabilitation is funded to about 16 per cent of the need. Sixteen per cent is all they are funding to reseal these roads.”— 2019-02-14View Hansard

Supported the bill while calling for permanent ring fencing of all levy revenue for environmental initiatives exclusively, expressing concern that putting money into general revenue weakens the bill's credentials.

“Allocating proceeds exclusively to environmental initiatives would demonstrate unparalleled environmental leadership and help fund initiatives that will improve Queensland for all of us and for future generations.”— 2019-02-13View Hansard

As Minister for Child Safety, spoke against the disallowance motion, drawing on her experience on the parliamentary committee when the original waste levy was introduced, and defending it as vital for the environment, economy and people of Queensland.

“There are so many reasons it is really important that we keep this waste levy in place for our environment, our economy and the people of Queensland.”— 2019-08-20View Hansard

Supported the bill, noting that while Cape York and Torres Strait communities sit in the non-levy zone, she observed overcrowded landfills during visits and welcomed the cultural shift toward better waste management.

“Since 2012 over 3.5 million tonnes of waste have been trucked across the border into Queensland, including 1.2 million tonnes in 2017-18 alone.”— 2019-02-13View Hansard

Supported the disallowance motion on behalf of KAP, arguing the waste levy disproportionately impacts remote communities like Mount Isa where there are no recycling alternatives and waste disposal costs are already high.

“What about the old adage that Queensland is too big a state for one set of laws to apply everywhere? There is no better example than Mount Isa in terms of this waste levy.”— 2019-08-20View Hansard

As Deputy Leader of the Opposition, characterised the levy as a con and a sham, arguing it originated from the Treasurer rather than the Environment Minister to cover the cost of 25,000-30,000 extra public servants.

“This is not a bill that originated from the Minister for Environment: this is a bill that originated from the Treasurer.”— 2019-02-13View Hansard

As Minister for Environment, closed the debate by strongly opposing the disallowance motion, arguing the waste levy supports the recycling industry, creates jobs and prevents Queensland from becoming a dumping ground.

“We will fight the war on waste and we will support industry, councils and Queenslanders as we do it. I strongly oppose the motion and I call on all members in this House to do the same.”— 2019-08-20View Hansard

Supported the bill, linking waste reduction to climate change action and highlighting the success of the Containers for Change scheme in Mackay through the local business Anything Environmental which grew from 4 to 16 employees.

“For every 10,000 tonnes of rubbish that goes into landfill three jobs are created. For the same amount of rubbish recycled, nine jobs are created.”— 2019-02-13View Hansard

Briefly supported the disallowance motion before being cut short as the minister had already closed the debate, arguing the government knew the tax was wrong because they did not announce it before the election.

“The government knows this tax is wrong. It knows it is wrong because it did not announce it before the last election.”— 2019-08-20View Hansard

Opposed the bill as another Labor tax grab, arguing that interstate dumping actually decreased during LNP years and increased under Labor, and that the government allowed the proliferation of dumps in the Ipswich area.

“The government's own report found that interstate dumping dramatically increased under Labor yet decreased during the LNP years of government.”— 2019-02-13View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a poorly constructed tax grab, highlighting the impact on regional councils including Mount Isa ($320 per ratepayer) and Maranoa Regional Council, and criticising the insufficient consultation period of only nine business days.

“Less than 10 cents in the dollar of the estimated $1.3 billion raised will go towards environmental programs. Where does the over 90 cents in the dollar go? It goes to the government.”— 2019-02-13View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, condemning the LNP's 2012 levy removal as one of the most egregious policy failures, and highlighting the $100 million Resource Recovery Industry Development Fund as creating new sustainable jobs.

“Of the litany of the LNP's policy failures in government, the abolition of the waste levy is surely one of the most egregious and destructive and certainly the one whose consequences are the most enduring.”— 2019-02-13View Hansard

Opposed the bill as a tax grab, noting the levy rate had doubled from $35 in 2011 to $70 in 2018, citing industry estimates of $3,650 added to the cost of a new home, and criticising the container refund scheme rollout.

“How can the Premier be believed when in 2018—seven years later—she said, 'Queensland families will not face the cost of this levy.' Who does she think run our small businesses? Robots?”— 2019-02-13View Hansard

Supported the bill as another step in unravelling the Newman government's legacy, arguing recycling creates three times the jobs of landfill and the levy supports decarbonisation.

“Perhaps the first reason is that it is another step in unravelling the destructive legacy of the Newman government.”— 2019-02-13View Hansard