Waste Levy Work Wasted - small business sabotaged

LNP taxes are okay, Labor taxes are bad. The problem is that the LNP did not prosecute an alternative to avoid the massive waste of recyclable materials when this tax was first raised in Parliament. E-Waste will continue to go to landfill. Children have no incentive to hunt down every can, bottle and container for recycling. How many well meaning small business people have been sabotaged by government stunts to promote recycling then abandoned? After investing heavily in projects that would have made a difference they are left high and dry. Disgraceful. 

Brooke Hargraves 0458 689 043, spins for Environment Minister, Andrew Powell.

Waste levy one step closer to being wiped from the books

Public Relationer for Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell says he is one step closer to closing another damning chapter of the Labor government’s history after introducing legislation to remove the Bligh government's waste levy.

“The Newman Government firmly believes the waste levy was simply an extra cost that put strain on our economy at a time when we need to foster growth,” Ms Hardgraves said that Mr Powell said.

“Earlier this year, in line with our election commitment, we amended the regulation to ensure the levy was $0 from July 1. Today we have introduced legislation to remove the tax for good. While the State cannot control the gate fees of individual disposal sites, by removing this poorly managed waste tax we are doing what we can to help (some) business and local councils lower their costs.”

“We have consulted widely on this matter and sought feedback from the Australian Council of Recycling, Local Government Association of Queensland and the Waste Management Association of Australia.

“Rather than imposing a senseless tax on Queensland businesses, the Newman Government is working with the waste industry to establish a strategy that delivers strong environmental outcomes without increasing the cost of living.

“We will not shy away from our responsibility to drive policy and regulation reform in regard to waste management, but we need to do this in consultation with industry.”

Mr Powell said the Waste Reduction and Recycling and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 also introduced further measures to reduce green tape and streamline environmental approvals.

“Again I stress this is not about lowering environmental standards, it is about streamlining processes and increasing transparency within our regulatory framework,” he said.

“These amendments will give industry greater flexibility to grow, but they also ensure that it is easier for regulators within EHP to identify any parties which fail to meet those standards.

“As we have seen with recent prosecutions, we will strongly pursue any company that does not comply with any environmental conditions.

“The Newman Government is unashamedly delivering a mandate that supports economic development to get the State back on track, but we will not allow development that is not environmentally sustainable.

“We will continue to work with all industries to ensure the highest environmental standards are met.”

[ENDS] 13 November 2012