Ms LEE - 2013-03-27
Can you please tell us what the response was from the CDS report to the government?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the important question from the member for Arnhem. First, I go back to what I said before about the legislation being a donkey. No one on this side of the House or on your side of the House - not even the member for Nelson - disagrees that cash for cans is a good idea. It is all about the model you chose. You could have got it right, but you got it so wrong.
I will read excerpts of a letter - and also table that letter - which the government received recently about our decision to support and continue the scheme. It said:
Those remarks came from Narelle Anderson, Managing Director of Envirobank, one of the main depots in Darwin. She was telling a story about a business and its impact. If the business keeps going its owners make a profit and support their families, and staff keep their jobs and support their families. Together they spend their hard-won dollars in the community and, as the money circulates, the community prospers. As Narelle pointed out, the scheme has a significant environmental impact and also delivers so much more economically and socially to the community.
Narelle was also telling a story about Territorians who have taken to the Cash for Containers scheme, as it is fondly known. Many collect containers for themselves and their children. Many others are collecting to raise funds for community groups. They love recycling because it is good for the environment and the community. These are the reasons the government has supported the scheme and is keeping it going until we can secure a permanent exemption from COAG. It is about supporting Territorians, our people.
Narelle also mentioned that many remote communities have cleaned up their towns by collecting cans and obtaining refunds, and are proud of their new-look landscapes.
Envirobank closed its doors on 18 March when Coca-Cola said it would no longer take part in the scheme. Coca-Cola stopped returning deposits to people, yet it collected through putting up the price of its product. The company gave Envirobank only seven days following the 18 March pull-out to take stock and finalise payments.
The sad thing is, if Labor had done the right thing and had the model right, we would not be in this position today ...
Ms Lawrie: What a load of rubbish!
Mr CHANDLER: No, you are wrong and you know it. You mucked it up …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you time has expired.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I appreciate the important question from the member for Arnhem. First, I go back to what I said before about the legislation being a donkey. No one on this side of the House or on your side of the House - not even the member for Nelson - disagrees that cash for cans is a good idea. It is all about the model you chose. You could have got it right, but you got it so wrong.
I will read excerpts of a letter - and also table that letter - which the government received recently about our decision to support and continue the scheme. It said:
- My staff asked me to write to you and to personally thank you and the government for standing up to the big business and fighting to keep the scheme alive. Only half an hour before your announcement, we were discussing our fate and I was fearful that I would have to send 30 people home to tell their families they had no job.
Then you made the announcement and instead I asked the General Manager to buy a case of VB to celebrate at the end of the shift with the whole team, we had a toast to the NT government.
We have 30 people that are still employed, and so many community groups, Variety, scouts, disability, 100s of households, and most recently the bishop of the catholic church who are also so delighted. Aside from having the significant environmental impact that cannot be disputed, it has delivered so much more economically and socially to the community.
Those remarks came from Narelle Anderson, Managing Director of Envirobank, one of the main depots in Darwin. She was telling a story about a business and its impact. If the business keeps going its owners make a profit and support their families, and staff keep their jobs and support their families. Together they spend their hard-won dollars in the community and, as the money circulates, the community prospers. As Narelle pointed out, the scheme has a significant environmental impact and also delivers so much more economically and socially to the community.
Narelle was also telling a story about Territorians who have taken to the Cash for Containers scheme, as it is fondly known. Many collect containers for themselves and their children. Many others are collecting to raise funds for community groups. They love recycling because it is good for the environment and the community. These are the reasons the government has supported the scheme and is keeping it going until we can secure a permanent exemption from COAG. It is about supporting Territorians, our people.
Narelle also mentioned that many remote communities have cleaned up their towns by collecting cans and obtaining refunds, and are proud of their new-look landscapes.
Envirobank closed its doors on 18 March when Coca-Cola said it would no longer take part in the scheme. Coca-Cola stopped returning deposits to people, yet it collected through putting up the price of its product. The company gave Envirobank only seven days following the 18 March pull-out to take stock and finalise payments.
The sad thing is, if Labor had done the right thing and had the model right, we would not be in this position today ...
Ms Lawrie: What a load of rubbish!
Mr CHANDLER: No, you are wrong and you know it. You mucked it up …
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, you time has expired.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016