Wednesday, 16 August 2023

 Nina TAYLOR (Albert Park) (19:21): (300) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Environment, and the action I seek is for the Minister for Environment to provide an update on the progress of the container deposit scheme collection sites in the seat of Albert Park. The minister visited Port Melbourne in my seat at Life Saving Victoria – a fitting spot. It was for the announcement on 14 April ahead of the kick-off of the CDS, which will run from 1 November 2023. There was tremendous excitement, nonetheless, from the surf lifesaving members. It will allow Victorians to return their used drink cans, bottles and cartons for a 10-cent refund. CDS Victoria will also offer charities, community groups, environmental groups and educational groups new ways to fundraise, which is really, really fantastic, and I am excited for them. Also, when we are thinking about our wonderful planet, it is expected to reduce litter in Victoria by up to 50 per cent and directly generate circa 645 jobs, so you can see it is a real win all round for the environment and also for the community groups. I am really looking forward to the rollout in November.

Because I know there is such excitement – it is probably across the state, but I am speaking for the electorate of Albert Park – it is only fitting that they want to know when and how the rollout is occurring and particularly what the progress is on the issue, noting that the official rollout is in November. But we kind of want a bit of insight there, because it really means so much to so many people. It is consistent with our government and who we are when prioritising the environment generally. It was actually really terrific; I had a bit of a crack at the collection site at one of those things – I am trying to think of what they are called. But anyway, I had a bit of a crack at it. They work really well. It is really fantastic – really efficient. I think people in the seat of Albert Park are absolutely going to love it – and across the state as well. Let me respect everyone in that space. I am looking forward to it.