Statement from the Minister for Environment

Published Wednesday, 18 April, 2018 at 04:18 PM

Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

I am disappointed with Ipswich City Council’s decision to place collected recycling into landfill.

The Newman Government’s decision to repeal the waste levy in 2012 robbed Queensland of the opportunity to secure investment and growth for our state’s waste and recycling industry.

Council’s decision today is the long term impact of the LNP’s short-sighted decision.

Councils are stuck without an opportunity to recycle this waste, which is a terrible outcome for the environment.

Our Government is in discussions with other Australian states and territories about China’s ban on importing recycled material.

China’s decision is a national issue for our waste and recycling industry and the Federal Government needs to show leadership to deliver a national solution.

Last month I wrote to the Federal Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg to communicate the urgent need for action from the Turnbull Government and affirmed the need for this issue to be on the agenda at the Meeting of Environment Ministers next week.

While I am yet to receive a response from Minister Frydenberg, I am pleased that this matter is now on the agenda for the meeting.

 

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