Retired Supreme Court Judge to lead investigation into interstate waste transportation

Published Tuesday, 22 August, 2017 at 09:50 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef
The Honourable Steven Miles

Retired Supreme Court Judge, The Honourable Peter Lyons QC will lead the independent investigation into the transport of waste into Queensland, following a roundtable last week jointly chaired by the Premier and Environment Minister Steven Miles.

“We are sending a clear message to interstate operators transporting waste to this State,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Mr Lyons is a highly regarded former Supreme Court Judge and Queen’s Counsel who will commence immediately to investigate the interstate waste transportation issue.

The scope of his investigation will include; incentives for movement of waste from other states and how to prevent this from occurring, opportunities for regulatory reform, and the role of other states and the Commonwealth.

Ms Palaszczuk said Mr  Lyons’ duties will also include consultation with industry, specifically those who participated through the roundtable process.

“I have asked for a report, including recommendations be provided to Government by mid-November.

In addition to the investigation, government is taking steps to ensure operators are complying with the law.

Minister Miles said Operation TORA involving officers from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP), Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Queensland Police Service (QPS) is continuing.

“Officers on the ground are blitzing interstate trucking waste," he said.

“This is an important industry that contributes to the economy and employing thousands of Queenslanders.”

Link to former Supreme Court Judge Peter Lyons biography http://www.sclqld.org.au/judicial-papers/judicial-profiles/profiles/pjlyons

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier's office) 0417 263 791