Thursday, 22 February 2024

Circular economy regulation

Moira DEEMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:10): (433) My question is for the minister representing the Minister for Environment. The Allan Labor government’s target of diverting 80 per cent of waste from landfill back into the circular economy by 2030 is laudable, and it has been backed up with a record investment of $515 million. However, regulatory failures to properly govern the circular economy in New South Wales have recently resulted in an environmental, economic and health disaster, with almost 30 sites contaminated by mulch which contains asbestos, including parks, preschools, schools, railway stations and countless private residences. My question is: what action has the government taken to safeguard Victorians from a similar economic, environmental and health disaster caused by asbestos, PFAS, heavy metals and other contaminants entering our circular economy?

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:11): I thank Mrs Deeming for her question, and I will refer that to the Minister for Environment for a written response.

Moira DEEMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:11): It has also been revealed that the EPA scientists and industry experts had been warning the New South Wales government about these regulatory failures since 2013. My supplementary question is: when did the Victorian government and the Victorian EPA first become aware that we too share many of the same regulatory failures that caused the New South Wales crisis, and what has been done to mitigate those risks since then?

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:11): Thank you again, Mrs Deeming, for the question. I will refer that matter to the Minister for Environment for a response.