Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Plastic production, mostly for packaging for food and consumer items, makes up 45 per cent of the petrochemical sector, which is projected to account for a third of growth in oil demand by 2030 and remain one of the biggest drivers of oil and gas exploration and extraction over the coming decades. It's no wonder multinational and gas corporations are eyeing a rapid expansion in the production of plastics to generate demand for fossil fuels in a decarbonising world. To stop the toxic tide of plastic continuing to choke our marine life and risk human health, the Albanese government must mandate in law—put their money where their mouths are—our nation's waste reduction targets.

In 2018, Australia set a national target to recover 70 per cent of plastic packaging by 2025 yet today only 18 per cent of our plastic packaging was recycled or composted. Australia's historic approach to waste reduction and recycling has failed. For a bit more perspective here, in the year 2000, that rate was actually 20 per cent above where it is now. It is absurd that our waste reduction targets are not legally binding given we know so much more about the dangers of plastic pollution today to the environment and to human health. The fact the government is still kicking the can down the road is a disgrace.

Big producers of plastic packaging have been operating with impunity, free from any responsibility, penalty or regulation. Voluntary approaches and self-regulation to waste reduction don't work. It's that simple. Big companies will never care about the planet as much as their profits, which means mandating in law waste reduction targets is the only way to get them to take the matter seriously.

The government have repeatedly said they will step in and regulate the packaging industry, but, only months out from an election, we're yet to see anything happen at all. Minister Plibersek, the clock is ticking, and Australians are watching.