The Greens are concerned the Liberals’ commitment to industry to review TasWater and the Environmental Protection Authority’s trade waste regulations will result in weakened environment protections at the behest of big business.
Tasmania’s environment is precious, and big businesses have got away with trashing it for too long. Any review of trade waste regulations must be truly independent, and should not prioritise the needs of businesses over Tasmanians and the environment.
Let’s be clear – when the Liberal Government and big business talks about ‘cutting red tape’, what they’re really saying is they want to reduce regulations which protect Tasmanians and the environment. It’s irresponsible.
Last week the Auditor-General released a scathing report on Tasmania’s landfills, and the lack of resourcing for the Environmental Protection Authority to enforce waste management standards.
Just last year we saw Hobart beaches closed over Christmas after Cadbury knowingly overwhelmed the Cameron Bay Sewerage Treatment Plant with trade waste above allowable limits. TasWater and the Environmental Protection Authority were left powerless to stop tonnes of untreated sewerage from spilling into timtumili minanya / River Derwent.
The Tasmanian community have consistently raised concerns about the effect of waste on Tasmania’s waterways. Last year, the Greens tabled a petition to establish a Derwent Catchment Authority to ensure Tasmanians’ have access to safe water.
In light of continuing waste management issues, the Liberal Government should be strengthening environmental protections and enforcement powers, not weakening them.
