Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Whish-Wilson. I thank you for your amendments and, at the outset, thank you for the thoughtful contribution you made in moving the amendments and Senator Steele-John for his contribution in terms of the framing of the amendments and some of the exemptions that were considered and placed by the Australian Greens in these amendments. I thank you because I know that the amendments and, indeed, the contributions you've made come from a very genuine place in both of your instances. The outcomes that you are seeking to achieve through these amendments are outcomes that I think Senator McAllister indicated sympathy for, and they're also outcomes that the government has sympathy for in terms of seeing, ultimately, an end of use, manufacture, import and distribution in relation to the plastics that you've cited in your amendment, such as shopping bags, straws and microbeads.

As you acknowledged in your contribution, Senator Whish-Wilson, states are already legislating to phase out a number of single-use plastics, and the Commonwealth does look to play a supportive and, where possible, coordinating role over time in this regard. I referenced in my contribution the National Plastics Summit that brought together states, territories, industry and others in March of this year, which is outlining the development of a national plastics plan. That seeks to target the different stages of the plastic life cycle, and I think that, along with other fora that bring together Commonwealth, state and territory environment ministers, provides an opportunity for us to work towards a greater harmonisation in relation to the steps that the states are taking. We welcome that. Industry too are taking steps, and we note that there has been a substantial phasing out of microbeads. Some estimate that 99.3 per cent are now phased out, and the government will continue to work with industry along with the states and territories in that regard.

We do believe at this stage that seeking cooperation and collaboration is the appropriate way to be able to build upon the gains that have been made and to maintain that goodwill in those discussions, which is why we do not support the amendments as you've put them forward. I should also thank you, Senator Whish-Wilson, for your acknowledgment of the work of Mr Evans and some of the engagement undertaken in your remarks.

You asked a question in particular about the European Union's directive, Senator Whish-Wilson. I don't have details around that directive before me tonight. I am, in broad terms, aware of its existence and aspects of it and also that the nature of our parliament passing a law and its application across the country, if passed into law, is sometimes a little different to any new directive and the extent to which the 27 member states at various times or places pass those directive into law in their own different procedures and practices. I don't, as I say, have the details here, but, whilst opposing your amendments, I do acknowledge the good progress being made by many states and certainly commit that the Commonwealth, where we can, will continue to work collaboratively with states to help them on this journey.