Steve Georganas (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I, too, rise in support of the member for Mayo's motion before us today, here in the Federation Chamber. We heard the previous speaker, the member for Wakefield, tell us about the importance of container deposits. He also gave us a bit of the history of this container deposit scheme in South Australia, which we are very proud of and which we heard began over 40 years ago in 1977 under an act called the Beverage Container Act 1975. Later, it was incorporated into the Environment Protection Act as well. So South Australia has always led the way on issues involving the environment. We led the way on container deposits and we led the way on single-use shopping bags, which is another way of preventing plastics getting into our waterways and into the sea. We heard the member for Mayo talk about turtles that get tangled up because of the tonnes and tonnes of plastic that go into our waterways and end up in the seas. South Australia also led the way on household composting.

When it comes to the environment, it's a no-brainer for South Australians. We've done this, we've perfected it and we will keep on doing it. It is a good example for other states that haven't taken it on board of how it works. As kids—I did it myself—we would look for bottles and containers et cetera to go and get some money to be able to go to the movies, for example, and people still do it today. It helps to clean the environment, it prevents damaging the environment and it's aesthetically clean as well. You look at your streets and your roads and you don't see much rubbish around the place because people know that there is a value on it, and people will pick up rubbish or keep it to either deposit or put in a recycling area.

It's shocking and incredible that for over 35 years South Australia was the only state or territory in Australia with a container deposit scheme. I know that in 2011 the NT came on board and introduced its own scheme. Proving there's no such thing as too late when it comes to the environment, New South Wales in 2015—a bit late—announced its intention for a container deposit scheme. We know that Queenslanders can claim a 10c refund for most plastic drink containers, beer bottles and aluminium cans. The ACT came to the recycling party earlier this year. It's great to see that other states are following the lead of South Australia, my home state, on the option to impose a simple deposit, which ensures that the environment remains cleaner.

As the member for Hindmarsh, I've always strived to protect our environment, including the beautiful pristine beaches that we have in our country. This scheme plays a big part in keeping our beaches clean and pristine for families and the community to enjoy. As the Labor candidate for Adelaide I will continue to stick up for the important environmental issues, including the River Murray and the River Torrens. The member for Mayo shares similar concerns regarding pollution and water flows.

Another iconic body of water in the city of Adelaide that I'll be keeping a close eye on is the River Torrens. Adelaide was built on the River Torrens, and over the years industries have built on the banks of River Torrens because they required water to run their industry, as old style industries did. The Torrens has benefited greatly from the container deposit and the clean-up that's taking place. We can always do better, and I look forward to working with Adelaide City Council to make sure our city environment is of a world-class standard.

It's no mistake that Adelaide is known as one the cleanest and tidiest place in Australia, and we're very proud of that fact. One of the contributors to our being one of the cleanest and tidiest places in Australia is that, 40 years ago, someone had the vision to implement a container deposit scheme, which kept the state clean. We lead the nation in the recovery, recycling and litter reduction of beverage containers, with a current overall return rate of nearly 80 per cent—that is, 80 per cent of containers sold are returned through the deposit scheme. In addition to its benefit for the environment, the scheme also has benefits for local community groups like the Girl Guides and the Scouts that collect bottles, or you can take bottles to them for deposit for their use. Groups collect these bottles, and it is a very positive thing. I'd ask any state that's not on board to come on board.

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