The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources today tabled its report, From Rubbish to Resources: Building a Circular Economy.

Media release issue date: Monday, 7 December 2020

The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources today tabled its report, From Rubbish to Resources: Building a Circular Economy. The Chair of the Committee, Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, said ‘this report addresses the dilemma in some way that the rubbish a nation creates in 2020 must be effectively, efficiently and sustainably dealt with by the nation that creates it. Finding big old holes in the ground to throw it in is a poor reflection of a nation that wishes to present itself as a clever country’. A key finding of the Committee was that Australia must be effective in delivering a unified approach across states and territories when it comes to waste management, and that the aim of a circular economy is to essentially ‘design out waste’. The Committee has made 24 recommendations including that the Commonwealth Government in consultation with state and territory governments implement a pathway to a predominantly national circular economy. This pathway should pay attention to the design and composition of products to enable the greatest capacity for end of life recycling, and consider regulation and incentives to encourage greater repair, reuse, recycling and recovery of materials. The Committee also looked to maximising the opportunities offered by rural and regional communities. It has recommended that the Commonwealth Government prioritise its coordination and leadership by assessing the potential of rural and regional towns to manage and process waste, and by assisting with investment in the necessary infrastructure to support a local industry.’ A copy of the report can be found on the Committee’s website. Media enquiries: Please contact Sam Woods at the Office of Hon Barnaby Joyce MP on (02) 6761 3080. For background information:   Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources (02) 6277 4114 or iisr.reps@aph.gov.au

The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources today launched an inquiry into Australia’s Waste Management and Recycling Industries.

Media release issue date: Friday, 25 October 2019

The House Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources today launched an inquiry into Australia’s Waste Management and Recycling Industries. The Chair of the Committee, Hon Barnaby Joyce MP, said ‘the inquiry will examine different processes within Australia, and between Australia and best practice in the world. The Committee will investigate innovative ways to reduce the millions of tonnes of waste discarded in landfill and waterways in Australia each year.’  ‘Improving waste management and recycling in Australia not only provides for a cleaner and more sustainable environment, but it also presents a range of economic opportunities. New jobs and industries will be created – particularly in our regions - along with new products and services’, Mr Joyce said. The Committee will consider opportunities to better manage industrial, commercial and domestic waste, as well as any current impediments to innovation in these sectors. Strategies to reduce waste in waterways and oceans will also be examined. The Committee would like to hear from interested people, organisations and agencies working to reduce, reuse and recycle waste in Australia. Submissions to the inquiry should be received by 31 January 2020. The terms of reference for the inquiry can be found on the Committee’s website. Media enquiries: Please contact Sam Woods at the Office of Hon Barnaby Joyce MP on (02) 6761 3080. For background information: Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources (02) 6277 4114 or iisr.reps@aph.gov.au