PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Ms COMER (Petrie) (11:06): I want to start by thanking the member for Mackellar for her advocacy in this space in bringing this motion on plastic waste forward. I also want to acknowledge that this motion raises an important issue. Australians care deeply about protecting our unique environment.
They want to see less waste going to landfill, healthier waterways, cleaner beaches and a recycling system that actually works. These are goals that the Albanese government shares. There is no doubt that plastic waste presents a significant challenge.
Too much plastic still ends up in landfill; too much finds its way into our oceans, our waterways and our natural environment. We also know that Australians expect governments and industry to work together to reduce waste and build a stronger circular economy. As someone who's studied environmental management at university and got involved in politics through my care for the environment, to me this motion is particularly important.
For too long we've seen big businesses get away with polluting our waterways and oceans with single-use plastics. We are now seeing microplastics in our water, and it won't be too long until we start seeing the currently unknown consequences of ingesting these. Microplastics are now found in the human body—in the reproductive organs, the blood, the brain and even the placenta.
Lead, asbestos and plastic all share something in common: they were yesterday's solution but they're today's problem. It is on all of us to find a way to reduce our use of single-use plastics and, where we cannot, we need to find a way to recycle these in a way that is economically viable but environmentally sustainable. Importantly, we need to address this at the source and ensure that businesses and states are provided with nationally consistent laws and that product stewardship programs are encouraged and implemented.
The question before the House, however, is not whether action is needed. It is in how we deliver the reforms that are practical, effective and long-lasting. Developing a homegrown plastic recycling industry has the added benefit of making more things here and supporting Australian manufacturing.
We understand that national reform and packaging regulation is needed. That is why we are partnering with states and territories to reduce plastic waste through investment and supporting them to phase out single-use plastic. This work is being backed by more than $200 million in investment into new and upgraded recycling infrastructure through the Recycling Modernisation Fund.
And, as of December last year, we have announced 61 plastic recycling plants that are expected to save more than 300,000 tonnes of plastic a year. As we know, plastic pollution is transboundary. While the Albanese government is disappointed that the global plastics pollution treaty has stalled, we will continue to do our bit to prevent plastic waste and encouraging recycling as much as possible.
The Albanese government has been getting on with the work of reducing plastic waste and strengthening Australia's recycling industry. Since coming to office we have continued investing in recycling infrastructure, supporting innovation in resource recovery, and building Australia's domestic recycling capability. We know that reducing plastic waste not only is good for the environment but also supports Australian manufacturing, creating jobs, and helps build a stronger circular economy.
The report's reference in this motion makes an important contribution to that work. Parliamentary committees play a valuable role in examining complex issues, hearing from experts and making recommendations. This government continues to consider those recommendations as part of our broader work to reduce waste and strengthen Australia's circular economy.
Soft plastics are another important part of this discussion, and, while packaging reforms continue, the government encourages industry-led action to reduce soft-plastic waste. We welcome the supermarket collection trials now operating in more than 700 stores across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT. These pilots are testing new collection and recycling models that will expand as Australia's recycling capacity grows.
Australians expect governments to get reforms right. They want practical, evidence based solutions that deliver lasting results. For communities like mine in Petrie, protecting the environment is not an abstract issue.
We are fortunate to call Moreton Bay home, with its beautiful coastlines, marine life and natural habitats. Our community understands the importance of reducing plastic pollution and protecting these places for future generations. We also want to dig our teeth into a beautiful piece of fish, not yesterday's chip packet.
People in Petrie also know that environmental responsibility and economic opportunity go hand in hand. Investing in recycling infrastructure, growing Australia's resource recovery industry and supporting Australian manufacturing creates skilled local jobs while reducing waste. That is why the Albanese Labor government remains committed to doubling Australia's circularity by 2035, and continuing to work with industry, states and territories to deliver practical reforms that strengthen Australia's recycling system and, most importantly, protect our environment.