Statement from the Environment Minister

I was pleased to be part of a conversation about the future of waste in Australia at today’s Meeting of Environment Ministers.

I have been advocating for the Federal Government to step up and be part of a national solution around the waste and recycling industry.

While the Federal Government did not come to the meeting with a financial plan, it was pleasing to see the Federal Government commit to updating the National Waste Strategy by end of the year, reducing the amount of waste generated and making it easier for products to be recycled, increasing our recycling capacity, increasing demand for recycled products, phasing-out microbeads and halving Australia’s food waste by 2050.

We need a national strategy to address the impacts that China’s ban on recycling material has caused Australian households.

Following discussions at a forum I attended in Bundaberg yesterday, it is clear that China’s ban on imported recycling is an issue for everyone and we need input, focus and consistency in a collaborative approach to waste management and recycling.

We need a broader strategy for a circular economy for Australia.

In relation to climate change, I was disappointed that the update provided was just more of the same from the Federal Government.

I will continue to advocate for a national climate change strategy.

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