PLASTIC ELECTION BUNTING
1319. Hon
SIMON O'BRIEN to the Minister for Electoral Affairs:
I refer to the minister's
correspondence to stakeholders outlining and seeking consultation about a possible
plastic election bunting ban given in October.
(1) Is the
government aware that with consultation only recently commenced, local small
businesses have already purchased significant quantities of stock in
preparation for the election and face financial loss if bans are implemented
for this upcoming state election?
(2) When will
this matter be decided and the public informed?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON
replied:
I thank Hon Simon O'Brien for
the question.
(1)–(2) He
is correct; I have consulted with the various political parties registered in Western
Australia in relation to this issue and a number of the political parties have
written back to me with their views. The intention is to impose a ban on soft
plastic bunting at polling places. I am not aware of specific small businesses
that have been affected by this. I have had a letter back from Sam Calabrese,
the state director of the Liberal Party. Can
I say, I am considering this matter currently. I am mindful of the need for
political parties to have time to prepare for the upcoming election, so
I intend to provide advice on this matter very soon.