PLASTIC BAGS —
BAN
904. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the fact that it has been
three months since the 1 July plastic bag ban.
(1) Does the minister agree that the
public response to the plastic bag ban has been positive?
(2) Has there been a reduction in
plastic bags smaller than 35 microns being distributed by businesses?
(3) Has there been an increase in
plastic bags larger than 35 microns being distributed by businesses?
(4) Will the minister consider
amending the regulation so that it encompasses all plastic bags?
(5) If no to (5), why not?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) I have been
pleased with the positive community response to the ban on single-use
lightweight plastic bags, which is consistent with the community survey results
received in the lead-up to the ban.
(2) Yes.
(3) Plastic bags
thicker than 35 microns are not within the scope of the ban. Data on the number
of thicker plastic bags distributed by retailers is not available.
(4)–(5) Western
Australia and other states and territories are working with retailers to
explore options to reduce thicker plastic shopping bags. This work is being led
by the Queensland government as agreed through the most recent meeting of
environment ministers.