2015-11-11
Senate urges Turnbull not to bin recycled paper promise
The Senate has called on the Turnbull government to immediately reinstate an ongoing commitment to using 100 per cent recycled paper in government departments and agencies.
“The government seems happy to recycle Prime Ministers but is refusing to do the same for paper,” said the Australian Greens forests spokesperson Senator Janet Rice.
“The Turnbull government is blowing smoke in the face of all the Australians who are doing their bit to recycle and use recycled products.
In July, the government withdrew from a longstanding commitment to supply 100 per cent recycled paper to government departments, as outlined in the Australian Government ICT Sustainability Plan 2010-2015.
“This is a promise that’s supported by a number of industry and environment groups, including the CFMEU, the Victorian Association of Forest Industries, the Australian Forest Products Association and the Wilderness Society,” said Senator Rice.
“Using Australian recycled paper will boost the Australian manufacturing sector, reduce expensive, unnecessary imports, and reduce the government‘s ecological footprint, carbon emissions and resource waste.
“Businesses like Australian Paper, who have just opened a new $90 million recycling plant in Maryvale with the support of a federal government grant, are set up to supply the paper locally.
“The Turnbull Government must live up to its promise and commit to using 100 per cent recycled paper in its departments and agencies.”
MOTION TEXT
The Senate
1. Notes:
a) In July this year, the government withdrew from a longstanding commitment to supply 100% recycled paper to government departments, as outlined in the Australian Government ICT Sustainability Plan 2010-2015.
b) Industry and environment groups, including the Victorian Association of Forest Industries, the Australian Forest Products Association, the CFMEU and the Wilderness Society, support the commitment of government purchase of 100% recycled paper.
c) Australian Paper opened a new $90 million recycling plant in Maryvale in May this year, which was supported with a $9.5 million grant from the Federal government, and which was positioned to supply recycled paper to Federal Government Departments.
d) Using Australian recycled paper will boost the Australian manufacturing sector, reduce expensive and unnecessary imports, and reduce the government’s ecological footprint, carbon emissions and resource waste.
2. Calls on the government to immediately reinstate an ongoing commitment to procuring 100% recycled paper.
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