Packaging Reform

Question

1. Australia's population is growing and packaging volumes are growing with it, yet we recycle just 14% of our plastics. Without a mandatory national framework, what is the government's plan to stop the waste gap from widening every year? 2. Australian recycling facilities built with public money and private capital are operating well below capacity. Rennie Advisory and ACOR projects utilisation falling to 32% within fi ve years without reform. At what point does inaction become a decision to let that sovereign capability collapse? 3. Landfill capacity in major urban centres is approaching its limits and the cost of building new infrastructure is rising. Does the government accept that without a funded national system, councils and ratepayers will continue bearing costs that belong with producers? 4. Over sixty countries operate mandatory EPR. Around 63% of Australia's two-way trade is with partners already running these systems. How long can Australia remain an outlier before we become a dumping ground for packaging that can't be sold into regulated markets? 5. Australia missed every single 2025 National Packaging Target under the voluntary system. The evidence is in, the consultation is done, the States are aligned, and industry is demanding a full EPR. What is the government waiting for? 6. Businesses are asking for one country, one system, not eight different state approaches. Can you commit to a nationally harmonised framework rather than leaving it to jurisdictions to go it alone?

Answer

Please see the attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000703.pdf (opens in a new tab)