Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023

Criticised the government's poor consultation with local governments and failure to meet waste targets, but did not oppose the bill outright. Supported the shadow minister's amendments.

“77 local governments across Queensland are the major stakeholders when it comes to waste recovery and the waste program across the state and it is very disappointing after speaking to many of the local governments just how poor the consultation has been by the government in that space.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

As the new Minister for the Environment, moved the bill and commended its passage, highlighting the government's commitment to reducing waste and the circular economy.

“The Palaszczuk government is strongly committed to reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating more good jobs in our state's recycling and resource recovery industry.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, particularly the ban on lighter-than-air balloon releases and the single-use plastics expiry date, citing the importance of protecting marine environments in his electorate including K'gari Fraser Island.

“Having a process to clean up the damage done by escaping balloons is an excellent step towards slowing the decline within those species and the duress suffered by nature from encounters with the remnants of these balloons.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

As Shadow Minister for the Environment, announced the LNP would not oppose the bill but moved amendments to protect councillors' free speech and align local government review periods with state timeframes.

“The LNP is supportive of practically all of this so we will not be opposing this legislation, but I will later move amendments to address two issues with what is before us.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported recycling initiatives but raised concerns about impacts on rural and regional areas lacking waste infrastructure. Cited the example of a foundry in his electorate that saw waste costs increase over 200% due to the waste levy.

“There are some very good aspects of this bill, but we must be mindful of the impacts it will have on rural and regional areas, particularly when they do not have the waste infrastructure available in many city areas.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

As committee chair, supported the bill and highlighted the committee's recommendation that it be passed, praising the government's environmental policies.

“The committee has made one recommendation, that the bill be passed.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported the bill, highlighting community organisations in her electorate working on waste reduction including Tangalooma EcoMarines in schools and Circonomy, a social enterprise demonstrating circular economy principles.

“If ever there were a high-profile example of the circular economy principles that we all should be thinking about, it is Circonomy in my electorate. The impact it has had on people's behaviour, way of thinking and practices simply cannot be measured.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

As deputy chair, endorsed several elements of the bill including the balloon ban and clean earth changes, but raised concerns about the government's failure to meet waste targets and the misinformation provisions.

“While the LNP supports numerous components of the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, we believe that improvements can be made.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported removing single-use plastics from the supply chain but criticised the government's approach as window-dressing, noting compostable plastics often end up in landfill due to lack of infrastructure and 126 million poppers being shipped overseas.

“I question the government's commitment to genuinely addressing some of these issues when much of it looks like window-dressing.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, particularly the ban on lighter-than-air balloons to protect marine life in Moreton Bay Marine Park, and defended the government's environmental record.

“The Palaszczuk Labor government has introduced an exceptional amount of great environmental policy.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill, particularly the ban on lighter-than-air balloon releases, citing strong community support from stakeholders including the Sumner Park Rotary Club and local bushcare groups.

“We know where these things can end up. That is why this legislation is so important to groups like the Sumner Park Rotary Club, the Pennywort Creek Bushcare Group, the Centenary and District Environment Action group and Oxley Bushcare.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill's circular economy principles but raised significant concerns that Queensland is far from meeting its waste targets and criticised the export of plastic waste to developing countries.

“However, despite these efforts, Queensland is a long way from being on track to meet its state or national waste targets.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported the balloon release ban and the LNP's amendment to align local government waste strategy review timelines, but criticised the government for poor consultation with LGAQ and failure to meet waste targets.

“The missed waste strategy review deadline and subsequent change to the review time line in the act are clear indicators of the government's inability to meet its waste management goals.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill as taking real action on waste essential for the economy, environment and communities, highlighting the importance of circular economy principles.

“This bill takes action to significantly shift the current policy settings.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported the bill, emphasising the circular economy's benefits for jobs and the agricultural industry, citing examples from the sugarcane industry's by-products including ethanol and bagasse.

“This bill is not only about the environment; it also about focusing on the thousands of jobs that are going to be produced by the circular economy.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

Expressed strong concerns about local government free speech provisions, quoting the Fitzgerald Inquiry to argue against muzzling councillors, while acknowledging support for other aspects of the bill.

“The provisions in this bill are arbitrary, they are repugnant and un-Australian.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Raised concerns about the bill not addressing waste from renewable energy projects and criticised the government for censoring local governments. Supported farmers as environmentalists and recyclers.

“Waste from wind farms, solar farms and battery storage will, based off currently available technology, inevitably be destined for landfill. This will result in an environmental disaster and toxic local contamination to the communities being used as dumps.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill as a step forward for waste management, criticised the LNP for previously scrapping the waste levy which made Queensland a dumping ground.

“This bill provides a step change, a step forward, in terms of a contemporary waste management framework for Queensland.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported the bill, particularly the ban on lighter-than-air balloons due to their impact on marine life including turtles on the southern Great Barrier Reef. Acknowledged Councillor Neil Fisher's work on waste reduction.

“We know that balloons are the leading cause of death for migratory sea birds. Also a large number of marine animals ingest these balloons that are let off at particular community events or funerals and that causes them great distress.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill but urged support for LNP amendments regarding misinformation definition and local government review periods, and raised concerns about solar panel recycling.

“While I do not oppose the bill, I urge the government to support the LNP's amendments.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported the balloon release restrictions and the circular economy concept, citing a local business Zilch Waste, but criticised the government for lack of clarity on recycling solar panels and wind turbines.

“I think sensible restrictions on balloon release to ensure that these species do not suffer anymore is something that we should be doing.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill and the minister's amendments, noting the committee's recommendation that the bill be passed and the importance of reducing waste going to landfill.

“The Palaszczuk government is committed to reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfill.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Acknowledged waste management as an opportunity for Queensland but criticised the government for changing targets instead of meeting them, failing to consult with industry, and attempting to muzzle local government officials.

“I want to start by placing on the record that waste and the way we manage it is a real opportunity for Queensland. It is an opportunity to do the right thing by the environment and it is an opportunity to do the right thing commercially.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

Supported the lighter-than-air balloon ban and acknowledged the importance of protecting Queensland's environment, while criticising the government for going backwards on waste management targets.

“The Liberal National Party is supportive of such a measure, recognising that such balloons, when released into the environment, pose risks to wildlife, marine ecosystems and our environment as a whole.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported the microbeads ban and circular economy moves but criticised the government for failing to meet its 55% waste diversion target and for attempting to gag local governments with the misinformation amendments.

“The government has nice talking points—everything is hearts and flowers, warm fuzzies and puppy dogs—but it is failing in the key areas of target delivery.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill as reflecting the government's commitment to a cleaner, greener future for Queensland and highlighted the ambitious waste reduction targets.

“This is a comprehensive and forward-thinking piece of legislation that reflects our government's commitment to a cleaner, greener future for Queensland.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Raised concerns about the removal of the clean earth levy exemption and lack of clarity on the new process, criticised the government's recycling failures including shipping 126 million poppers overseas.

“Quite frankly, the intent of the waste levy was to provide some of this recycling and the government has just failed and failed miserably at that.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill's aims as an Independent, noting Noosa's commitment to sustainability and UNESCO biosphere status, while calling for more action on renewable energy waste.

“Overall, the bill makes several small and useful changes, but there is so much more we need to do.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Raised concerns about recycling of damaged solar panels and criticised the government for shipping poppers to India. Noted the LNP originated the containers for change concept in 2016.

“An Australian report recently stated that all of these poppers are heading to India and I think that it would devastate a lot of children in our schools to know that we are sending our waste problems overseas to India.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

Supported the bill and its circular economy principles, praising the Containers for Change program and supporting the balloon ban despite noting it may affect future generations' birthday parties.

“This bill continues our creation and support of circular economies, returning as many forms of waste as possible to the economy, thus reducing reliance on new resources across Queensland.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

As Minister, defended the bill and the government's waste management record, contrasting it with the Newman government's removal of the waste levy. Cited achievements including 62% reduction in interstate waste transfer and investment in recycling infrastructure.

“Since we reintroduced the waste levy, the interstate transfer of waste is down 62 per cent and we are no longer a dumping ground for other states.”— 2023-05-24View Hansard

Supported recycling initiatives including the Cherbourg MRF but strongly criticised the gag provisions on local government and called for solar panel recycling policy.

“This government once again proves that it is anything but open, anything but accountable and—obviously, given this gag order—anything but transparent.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of the government's vision for Queensland to become a zero waste society and defended the misinformation provisions.

“Our government has a vision for Queensland to become a zero waste society—where waste is avoided, re-used and recycled to the greatest possible extent.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported the bill but strongly criticised the gag provisions on local government and raised concerns about clean earth exemptions and recycling of solar panels and wind turbines.

“What this Labor government has done is try to sneak this provision in. It is effectively gag legislation.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported the bill as part of the government's strong environmental record, highlighting TMR's waste management strategy and circular economy initiatives in road construction.

“The Palaszczuk government has a very strong record on the environment. This is another move forward in terms of reform.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported the LNP amendment protecting local government free speech and highlighted the LNP's record on waste initiatives including container deposits and plastic bag bans.

“Reducing waste, re-using and recycling is an innate part of conservative principles. We want to re-use every bit of resource as much as possible.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported all aspects of the bill including redefining waste, the balloon ban, and circular economy principles, noting Queensland could lead Australia on balloon releases.

“This ban is an opportunity to be one of the leading states in Australia to totally ban the release of balloons and it places Australia in good stead to be the first continent in the world to completely ban balloon releases.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard

Supported the bill with concerns, drawing on his 16 years in local government to criticise the lack of consultation with councils and the government's failure to meet waste targets.

“I must say to the government: talk to local government. They are your major stakeholders. They are the operators of these places in most cases and they will give you some guidance about what is able to be achieved in the waste recovery space.”— 2023-05-23View Hansard