Waste and recycling management
James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:33): My question is to the Minister for Energy and Resources. The minister previously introduced legislation establishing Victoria’s waste-to-energy scheme. Today she is blocking waste-to-energy projects in her own backyard. Why is the minister dishonestly supporting waste to energy in Parliament and then standing with waste-to-energy opponents in her own electorate?
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: The member for Pascoe Vale can leave the chamber for half an hour.
Member for Pascoe Vale withdrew from chamber.
Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (14:34): I am very pleased to answer the question from the honourable member opposite. Can I be really clear that every bit of legislation we introduce in this government we are absolutely proud of, and we stand by it every single day. There is a small fact in that question that shows a misunderstanding of the situation around waste to energy, and that is that any waste-to-energy proposal – because it is in the legislation, which I was very pleased to introduce, and I know my very good friend the Minister for Environment is absolutely delighted to oversee this policy and continue with the good work – needs to go through proper processes in local communities and planning processes. What any good member of Parliament on either side of the chamber ought to do is pay attention to the needs and interests of their communities and advocate on their behalf, as we do and as any member of Parliament does.
There is a role for waste to energy in our circular economy. I will not say any more, because this is the Minister for Environment’s policy, but we are absolutely delighted to ensure that we have a policy around the circular economy that absolutely takes our effort around waste and recycling to a level that has never been seen before in this country. This state continues to lead the way. I am absolutely pleased to always advocate on behalf of my community, but there are proper processes that are available. Communities are entitled to utilise those processes, and decisions will be made after full consultation is exercised and considered. That is as it should be, and that is why our legislation is very clear on the social licence around these issues, around these matters, and the processes are working appropriately as local communities should expect they do.
James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:36): The minister, along with the Labor member for Yan Yean, has signed the member for Thomastown’s petition blocking a waste-to-energy project in their own backyard. The members for Lara, Bellarine and Geelong all want to block the Lara waste-to-energy project in their backyard. Will the minister support the Lara project, or will she block it?
Lily D’AMBROSIO (Mill Park – Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission) (14:37): Thank you for the supplementary question. The only blockers in this chamber are those on the other side of this chamber. I would challenge anyone who understands how petitions work in this chamber – people get to sign a petition and petition the Parliament around some grievances or concerns that they may have. They are tabled, and there are processes available for governments –
A member interjected.
Lily D’AMBROSIO: No, I am not the minister. I think you are absolutely confused about which minister is responsible for these matters. There are planning ministers, there are environment ministers and then there are members of Parliament who represent their communities, and petitions are simply that. People are entitled to use petitions. They are tabled in this Parliament, and they are a proper planning process that is available to any community to utilise, to express their views on any project.
James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the minister signed the petition.
The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Lily D’AMBROSIO: As I said, this is a government that does things every single day. The only ones who block are those opposite, and everyone knows that that is an absolute fact.