Bill
Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020
passed, as at 2020-12-15. Environment portfolio.
- Sponsor
- Not recorded
- Portfolio
- Environment
Recorded stages
- introduced — 2020-08-27
- second reading — 2020-08-27
- second reading — 2020-10-22
- second reading — 2020-10-26
- second reading — 2020-10-26
- committee — 2020-10-26
- third reading — 2020-10-28
- third reading — 2020-10-28
- introduced — 2020-11-09
- second reading — 2020-11-09
- second reading — 2020-12-03
- second reading — 2020-12-07
- second reading — 2020-12-07
- committee — 2020-12-07
- committee — 2020-12-08
- third reading — 2020-12-08
- third reading — 2020-12-08
- passed — 2020-12-08
- royal assent — 2020-12-15
Divisions
- Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020 and others - Consideration in Detail - Packaging — 2020-10-26, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 51, noes 47
- Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020 and others - Third Reading - Speed things along — 2020-10-26, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 54, noes 43
- Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020 and others - Third Reading - Speed things along — 2020-10-26, House of Representatives: affirmative, ayes 54, noes 43
- The majority voted against an amendment to the usual second reading motion, which is "*that these bills be read a second time*." To read a bill a [second time](https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/bills-and-laws/making-a-law-in-the-australian-parliament/) is to agree with its main idea. Because this amendment failed, the usual second reading motion will remain unchanged. ### Amendment text > *At the end of the motion, add: ", but the Senate:* > > *(a) agrees that waste-to-energy incineration has no place in a sustainable zero waste management and circular economy agenda; and* > > *(b) calls on the Government to rule out any financial or regulatory support for waste-to-energy incineration".* — 2020-12-07, Senate: negative, ayes 9, noes 39
- Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020 and others - in Committee - Single-use plastics — 2020-12-07, Senate: negative, ayes 11, noes 35
- Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020 and others - in Committee - Mandate — 2020-12-07, Senate: negative, ayes 33, noes 33
- The majority voted against [amendments](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2020-12-07.190.4) introduced by Tasmanian Senator [Peter Whish-Wilson](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/tasmania/peter_whish-wilson) (Greens), which means they failed. Senator Whish-Wilson [explained that](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2020-12-07.190.4) these amendments would "*establish a product stewardship scheme advisory group.*" — 2020-12-07, Senate: negative, ayes 32, noes 34
- The majority voted against [amendments](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2020-12-07.198.1) introduced by Tasmanian Senator [Peter Whish-Wilson](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/tasmania/peter_whish-wilson) (Greens), which means they failed. Senator Whish-Wilson [explained that](https://www.openaustralia.org.au/senate/?gid=2020-12-07.198.1): > *These amendments are simply about financial contributions. Everybody agrees we need better information, better labelling laws. The problem is: when you're talking about education programs, how do you fund them? These amendments are fairly straightforward. They require certain members of the Packaging Covenant, or potentially a new iteration if it falls under this legislation as a voluntary product stewardship scheme, to make financial contributions to help pay for raising that education and awareness.* — 2020-12-07, Senate: negative, ayes 10, noes 38
- Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020 and others - in Committee - Stronger labelling — 2020-12-07, Senate: negative, ayes 11, noes 35
- Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020 and others - in Committee - Plastic packaging — 2020-12-07, Senate: negative, ayes 32, noes 34
- The majority voted against an [amendment](https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:legislation/billhome/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Famend%2Fr6573_amend_3deb1ab3-ee20-4f45-b7e9-7b71826f37fc%22;rec=0) introduced by Greens Senator [Peter Whish-Wilson](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/people/senate/tasmania/peter_whish-wilson), which means it failed. ### Amendment text > *Clause 67, page 68 (line 27) to page 69 (line 6), omit subclause (2A), substitute:* > > *(2A) In preparing a Minister’s priority list, the Minister must consult with one or more persons or organisations, groups or authorities (as applicable) from each of the following:* > >> *(a) persons or organisations involved in, or advocating for, best practice in relation to the reuse, remanufacture, recycling and recovery of products, waste from products and waste material;* >> >>> *(b) industry groups;* >>> >>> *(c) consumer groups;* >>> >>> *(d) environmental groups;* >>> >>> *(e) local government authorities.* > > *The Minister may also consult with any other person or organisation the Minister considers should be consulted.* — 2020-12-08, Senate: negative, ayes 29, noes 32
Plain-language summary
Written by a model from the explanatory memorandum; not the record, as at 2020-08-27.
This bill would create a national system to reduce harm from waste and products.
It would ban exporting unprocessed waste glass, plastics, tyres and paper unless they are turned into reusable materials.
The bill would replace the Product Stewardship Act 2011 and let the Minister make rules that are subject to parliamentary oversight.
- Establishes a framework to regulate waste exports and product stewardship.
- Bans the export of untreated waste glass, plastics, tyres and paper.
- Repeals the Product Stewardship Act 2011 and replaces it with new rules.
- Sets obligations for businesses involved in making, importing, distributing or designing certain products.
- Provides enforcement powers including licence suspension, civil penalties and criminal offences.
- Allows fees on a cost-recovery basis for Commonwealth activities under the bill.
Manufacturers, importers, distributors, designers, exporters, businesses, community organisations and individuals involved in waste exports and product stewardship schemes.
Sources
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billhome
frl act