Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support the Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020. South Australians are this country's trail blazers in recycling and we are rightfully proud of our legacy. South Australia was the first state to introduce container deposit legislation way back in 1977—first to 5c and then to a 10c return on cans, bottles and then flavoured milk. Recycling for cash has long been part of South Australian households. Many a South Australian child has topped up their pocket money with a trip to the recycling depo. Soon, perhaps, wine bottles may be added to the list, as a result of the South Australian Environmental Protection Authority's 2019 public consultation. I know that my community would be very supportive of such a move.

Other states and territories have been much slower to adopt South Australia's container recycling innovations, with Tasmanians and Victorians still waiting for their own schemes to be introduced. South Australia is also proud to be the first state to phase out lightweight plastic bags. We did that more than a decade ago back in 2009. Last month legislation that prohibits the sale, supply and distribution of certain single-use plastic products passed the South Australian parliament. Fortunately, other states and territories have been quick to follow our lead—with the singular exception of New South Wales, whose government remains steadfast in its reluctance to pursue meaningful action on plastic pollution. Recycling has a long and strong history of bipartisan support in my state. I'd encourage those New South Wales members to put pressure on their state government to catch-up with the rest of the country with respect to lightweight plastic bags.

Earlier this year the state government announced a 2021 ban on some single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cutlery. But South Australians aren't waiting for the ban. Many communities are already leading the way, including communities in my electorate of Mayo. Last year, the district council of Yankalilla voted to ban single-use plastics in its region. The Yankalilla district became an identified plastic-free SA precinct. I'm delighted to say that the beautiful hills town of Uraidla has been declared South Australia's first plastic free township. The boycott of single-use plastics was led by local residents and local businesses. The Uraidla Hotel, the Uraidla Republic Cafe and the nearby Greenhill winery all came together to be officially awarded plastic-free status.

I have recently spoken in the parliament about the exciting recycling hub proposed and put forward by the City of Onkaparinga, the City of Marion and City of Holdfast Bay. This is a groundbreaking project, a materials recovery facility, that is at a scale to manage the collection of recyclables from three major metropolitan councils. And it has great scope for further expansion. That is in my electorate in McLaren Vale. As one of the first facilities to be developed from scratch since the major changes in international waste commodity markets, it has been designed to produce recycled materials that meet the quality needs of Australia's and international markets. It's much more than a recycling depot. It's an engine for an exciting new circular economy in our future.

The member for Brisbane, the Assistant Minister for Waste Reduction and Environmental Management, has been kind enough to visit the project. I know that he and the South Australian members of parliament have been quick to realise the value of the project as well as the value of the local employment that it will provide. The recycling hub is projected to create over 80 full-time construction jobs and approximately 20 ongoing full-time jobs. The project is a prime candidate for the federal government's Recycling Modernisation Fund, which partners its funding with equal contribution from industry and state government. The South Australian government is no doubt seriously considering the proposal, and I encourage the South Australian minister for the environment to fully evaluate the project and follow through by seizing the opportunity that is offered to southern Adelaide, to the Fleurieu Peninsula and beyond. This is a really exciting collection of bills. I commend these bills to the House.

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