Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Environment spokesperson
It was extremely disappointing the Liberal and Labor Parties would not support the Greens' Motion to implement a state-based cash for containers scheme.
Both old parties obfuscated and justified their lack of support on needing more evidence, despite the Greens giving them more than two months notice and the opportunity to make changes.
In voting against a cash for containers scheme, both the Liberal Government and Labor Opposition have let down the environment, and the community.
Neither Labor nor the Liberals could come up with any other reason to vote against the Motion, other than cost insecurity. Tasmania's brand and environment are priceless, and the cost of a scheme would be borne almost completely by industry.
Now is not the time to play politics and bureaucracy on this win, win scheme for the environment and community groups.
What Tasmania needs is commitment and environmental leadership, something neither Environment Minister, Matthew Groom, nor Opposition Leader, Bryan Green, could muster.
The Greens will continue to call for a cash for containers scheme in Tasmania. We hope we are not the last State in Australia to come to the party.