Chapter 1

Introduction

Referral to the committee

1.1        On 25 March 2011, the Senate, on the recommendation of the Selection of Bills Committee, referred the Product Stewardship Bill 2011 (the bill) to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 28 April 2011.[1] The bill was referred to assist with appropriate and timely consideration by the Senate of the bill.[2]

1.2        The reporting date was subsequently extended until 9 May 2011.[3]

1.3        The committee advertised the inquiry on its website and wrote to relevant organisations inviting submissions by 6 April 2011.  The inquiry was also advertised nationally in The Australian on 30 March 2011. The committee received 25 submissions (see Appendix 1).[4] The committee held a public hearing in Canberra on 13 April 2011 (participants listed at Appendix 2).

1.4        The committee thanks submitters and witnesses for their contributions.

Purpose of the bill

1.5        The bill implements 'a cornerstone commitment of the National Waste Policy' by establishing a national framework underpinned by Commonwealth legislation to support voluntary, co-regulatory and mandatory product stewardship schemes. [5]

1.6        Waste generation in Australia is steadily increasing in volume, complexity and toxicity. Australia is projected to produce 150 per cent more waste in 2020–21 compared with 2002–03 levels.[6] The National Waste Policy aims to produce less waste for disposal and to manage waste as a resource to deliver economic, environmental and social benefits.[7] The policy has been endorsed by all Australian governments through both the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) and the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).[8]

1.7        Product stewardship is seen as a key method to help meet the objectives of the National Waste Policy by sharing responsibility amongst manufacturers, consumers, government and the community for reducing the environmental, health and safety footprint of manufactured goods and materials across the life cycle of a product.

Report structure

1.8        This report is divided into two substantive chapters. Chapter 2 outlines the policy and regulatory context within which the proposed legislation will operate, and identifies the key provisions of the bill. Chapter 3 then discusses the issues raised during the committee's inquiry in respect of individual provisions of the bill.

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