Government backflips on promise to tackle waste crisis this year

2019-12-17

The Victorian Labor Government appears to have backflipped on a promise to act on the waste crisis this year, after committing to release two plans regarding waste and plastic pollution.

Premier Andrews promised the release of both a Circular Economy Policy and a Plastic Pollution Action Plan in 2019, and as yet nothing has been published.

The Greens-initiated waste inquiry laid out a critical road map to tackle the crisis, and the pressure is now on the Government to follow through with its promises and take action.

Victorian Greens spokesperson for environment, Ellen Sandell, said if next year’s state budget didn’t include funding for measures to tackle the crisis – such as a container refund scheme and separate bins for glass and food waste – it would fail.

For five years now the state has floundered without a policy on waste reduction and recycling.

Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens spokesperson for environment, Ellen Sandell MP:

“The waste crisis continues, and still the Victorian Labor Government is a no-show. They promised action this year, but they've done virtually nothing. Where on earth are they?

"Victorians are doing the right thing and separating their recycling, but in many places it's still going to landfill because the Andrews Labor Government has done nothing to deal with the crisis.

"Victoria could have a 10c refund on bottles and cans, just like every other state has, and a separate glass bin for recycling, but this Government is sitting on its hands. It's time to act now."