Blumsky Mark: Waste Minimisation Bill — In Committee 
Blumsky Mark: Waste Minimisation Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:648;Page:17574] 
MARK BLUMSKY (National) 
: 
 It is wonderful to have this opportunity to speak to the Waste Minimisation Bill and I do so because I sat through the deliberations on it in the Local Government and Environment Committee where I had the opportunity to hear all the submissions. I have been with the bill from the start and rise to speak to it for the first time actually feeling quite excited that it is here in its present form. I will be talking on Part 2 “Product stewardship” but I just want to acknowledge the bill as it is before us in its present shape. And it is right that it is because when the bill first came before the select committee in its original form I thought there was not a shiver show in heck we would be supporting it yet here we are now supporting it because of the select committee process. I applaud the process of the select committee but more important I applaud the officers and officials involved because they have done good work—a fantastic job. I say to the officials whom I see here that they did a marvellous job to get the bill into the shape it is in. 
The bill had to be put into shape. It was obvious through the 316 submissions we heard that something had to be done and product stewardship was a big part of that—just to keep the reference to Part 2 Madam Chair. The 316 submitters were passionate about waste and the need for the Government to be a leader in doing something about it and product stewardship was a big part of that. It is amazing actually how much the issue of container deposit came before us. I have to say that I like others who have spoken in relation to the submissions on product stewardship think that container deposit was a big part of it. Without a doubt this bill will when it passes make a considerable impact on waste and on where and how people behave in relation to it in generations to come. I applaud Mr Norman for taking over the mantle from Nandor. Again I am sure he will be making sure the bill goes through in its proper form. We are excited about where this will go. 
I return to Part 2 “Product stewardship” the cradle-to-grave aspect and say that the most important thing coming through the bill for me is that it is designed as a framework. That was one of the things I took on board quite early. It means that things can be worked on manoeuvred and placed in the best possible ways. It is not the Government saying: “This is the way to do it.” The bill in its present form and the design of the product stewardship provision in Part 2 also give the ability for the private sector for manufacturers—for those if you like from whom the waste is coming—to take on board the cradle-to-grave aspect themselves. As manufacturers producers or whatever they will voluntarily be able to design their own scheme in a way to suit them best rather than the Government saying: “This is the way it has to be done. We think this is the best way.” because we do not know—the Government does not know goodness me! The manufacturers in the sector should be able to handle their situation themselves. This legislation is a framework—a framework that needs to deal with many diverse situations—and it will provide regulatory support. 
There will be free-riders. We saw through the select committee process that there are free-riders out there. Not all of the voluntary schemes have got everyone on board. This legislation may force them to come on board which I think is very important. There are schemes out there that will after we pass this bill become a lot more relevant for those who have had the free ride and if there are industries out there or products out there that are not going to pick up the chalice of product stewardship then the Minister can force the issue. I think that is important. We have said out loud to the industries “You sort it out yourselves. Take the cradle-to-grave aspect seriously. We have and we are. We think it is important you find ways to reuse recover and minimise the waste. You sort out what’s best for your industry because you guys know. But hey if you don’t if you’re lazy if you’re free-riding guess what? We’ll change the playing field and we will make damn sure you do something about it.” I think that is more than appropriate. It is the role of Government and it is the role of the bill. I think we got there in the end. 
The bill is different from what we started with but I say again to the officials involved that I think they did a good job in helping us to wrap up something with the submitters that I think will make a difference and leave a nice legacy for Nandor. Thank you.