The Barnett Government’s decision to throw out WA Labor’s legislation to ban plastic bag is a major blow for waste management in WA.
Labor’s Plastic Shopping Bags (Waste Avoidance) Bill was introduced into Parliament in 2010. This was Western Australia’s opportunity to put in place a ban on plastic bags.
People threw their support behind this initiative to phase out plastic bags.
Only a fraction of single use plastic bags are currently recycled, meaning billions of bags end up littering our beaches, parks, and roadsides.
They ruin the visual amenity of our public spaces, present a dangerous hazard to wildlife and are a real menace when they get sucked up into boat engines and the like.
Despite acknowledging that plastic bag litter is a major environmental problem, the Barnett Government has decided taking action to help the environment is not necessary.
The community has every right to feel frustrated and saddened by the Barnett Government’s decision not to support the legislation.
Like most people, WA Labor believes it’s time for action.
WA Labor believes doing nothing is simply not an option and will not give up its campaign to ban plastic bags.
People can show their support for WA Labor’s push to ban plastic bags by signing a petition in my office or can download a petition here, and return to my office at PO Box 2269 High Wycombe, 6057.