How good is making a big announcement about a policy decision that was completely out of your control? Just ask Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
He is trumpeting the deal made between the states and the Commonwealth to ban recyclable waste from being exported overseas. There is just one minor detail that was missing from his celebratory remarks: The world will not take our waste anyway.
The fact Australian waste is no longer being sent to many Asian nations is not because of a political miracle from the PM. The countries themselves have stopped it from reaching their shores anyway.
Last year China effectively banned imports of plastic waste. It may be too simplistic to suggest Australia is playing catch up after China’s decision. But after today’s announcement, it sure does look like it.
What is even more concerning, is the lack of a concrete timeline on the new proposal. It will now be up to the state and territories environment ministers to determine the timeframe for how to remove plastics and other materials from our waste. A cynic would say the likelihood of them all agreeing to a coordinated timeframe is as high as Pauline Hanson becoming Ten’s new Bachelorette. Luckily, I am wildly optimistic and would never make such a suggestion.
The Prime Minister was very keen to say Australia’s waste is Australia’s responsibility. Now there is a statement which is very difficult to argue with. Ultimately the responsibility lies with every Australian who buys seven plastic bags while shopping because they can’t be bothered running back to the car. It also lies with the parents engaging in an arms race over the latest range of plastic collectibles. The time is now for all of us to take responsibility for our waste. Now how good would that be.