Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Environment spokesperson
NSW residents will get 10 cents back on eligible drinks containers from 1st July next year, following the NSW Government’s introduction of Container Deposit Scheme legislation into their State Parliament, joining South Australia and the Northern Territory.
The scheme will make a big difference to their parks, waterways, beaches and oceans. It means everyone has a financial incentive to reduce some 160 million drinks containers that are littered across NSW every year.
The Western Australian and Queensland state governments have also committed to introduce similar container deposit schemes in the next year. Only Victoria and Tasmania have not committed to a scheme.
In a 2011 poll, over 90% of Tasmanians supported the introduction of a container deposit scheme. It would help maintain our clean, green brand, have the potential to provide 380 permanent jobs, along with significant fundraising opportunities for community groups.
Tasmania has the worst litter and recycling rates in Australia. It’s time we follow mainland states, like New South Wales, and instigated an Tasmanian cash for container scheme.
The Tasmanian Greens will introduce a Motion into Parliament this year, calling for the Government to legislate a state Container Deposit Scheme. We have written to the Premier asking for his support.
We hope Premier Hodgman will do the right thing by the environment and community groups and support our move to establish a Tasmanian cash for container scheme.