The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER) has revealed the Government has agreed to implement two of 24 recommendations made to it by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources.
In its report Inquiry into Australia’s Waste Management and Recycling Industries, the Standing Committee made the recommendations with the agreed ones expected to remove innovation barriers and improve resource recovery around Australia.
Unveiling the Government’s response to the Committee’s inquiry, the Department said the Government supported a transition to a predominantly circular economy to transform waste into sustainable resources and reduce the impact of landfills.
DISER said the Committee, which published its Report in December 2020, looked at opportunities for waste materials, including energy production, recycling and exports.
It said that while the Government agreed with two of the 24 recommendations, it noted 14 and supported eight in principle.
“A number of recommendations in the Report require the Commonwealth Government to consult and collaborate with State and Territory Governments,” DISER said.
“The Commonwealth Government has established a cross-sector reference group involving Government, non-Government organisations, and industry and business representatives to provide advice and help guide the implementation of the NWPA (National Waste Policy Action Plan 2019).”
It said the Government had agreed to undertake further research to identify waste management and resource recovery opportunities related to commercial/industrial and construction/demolition waste.
DISER said the Government also agreed that an assessment of Australia’s current and future waste management and resource recovery infrastructure capacity be undertaken.
The Standing Committee’s 184-page Report can be accessed at this PS News link and the Government’s response at this link.
