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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 904 asked in the Legislative Council on 9 October 2018 by Hon Robin Chapple

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

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.