NOOSA MP Glen Elmes has said an LNP government would phase out single-use plastic bags throughout the state in a bold environmental move.
Speaking at the new Peregian Beach IGA, Mr Elmes said a future LNP government would lead the way in cutting plastic waste, reducing landfill and providing a safe environment for wildlife and families.
“By phasing out single-use plastic bags from our local supermarkets we are making an important investment in our future,” he said.
Mr Elmes said the LNP’s commitment to phase-out the bags is endorsed by Clean Up Australia, Wildlife Australia and the Boomerang Alliance, which represents 45 environmental groups, and the LNP will join with NSW and Victoria to develop a nationally-consistent approach.
In 2005, all Australian state governments agreed to phase-out plastic bags by 2008 but Queensland is lagging with only South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT fulfilling the promise.
Mr Elmes’ policy announcement will only come about the LNP wins the next election but Mr Elmes said local families and business can make changes now.
“There are plenty of alternatives to the single-use plastic bag. By making a simple lifestyle change, local families can make a huge difference,” Mr Elmes said.
“Green or bring-your-own bags, heavy retail bags, paper bags and barrier bags for fruit and vegetables and meat will not be banned.”
Mr Elmes said the LNP has also introduced a container deposit scheme that would give consumers, businesses and charities a 10 cent refund for aluminium, glass and plastic drink containers returned for recycling.
“These are the two most important policies we’ve ever put out,” he said.
Environment minister Steven Miles has welcomed LNP’s announcement but said Labor had already been working on banning plastic bags.
“Since May last year we’ve been investigating a ban on use of single-use plastic shopping bags and it looks like the LNP have finally caught up,” he said.
“We’ve been investigating options to restrict the use of single-use plastic bags both across QLD and Australia.
“We’re already working closely with NSW and Victoria to reach an agreement on a possible east coast approach to reducing the supply of single-use bags.”
Dr Miles said the possible east coast plastic bag ban would be discussed at the Commonwealth and State Meeting of Environment Ministers this Friday, 25 November, and he looks forward to “meeting with my interstate counterparts … to progress these plans”.
How we use plastic bags:
Plastic bags have an average lifespan of 12 minutes
Each bag takes 1000 years to fully decompose
Queenslanders use around 1 billion plastic bags a year
Each family collects more than 60 bags per week.
