Wednesday, 1 April 2026

 David HODGETT (Croydon) (10:51): I rise to speak on the government’s container deposit scheme and to highlight concerns that have been raised with me regarding the effectiveness of the program within the Croydon district and surrounding suburbs. I have received numerous reports from residents who participate in the scheme and seek to redeem the 10-cent refund on eligible containers only to be advised upon arrival that refund machines are full and unable to accept any further items. This raises serious questions about whether service providers are adequately maintaining and servicing refund points in Melbourne’s outer-eastern suburbs. A scheme designed to encourage recycling cannot achieve its intended purpose if residents are routinely turned away due to capacity issues. The government must review the operation of the program to ensure fairness and accessibility and to guarantee that all Victorians who wish to participate are able to do so and receive the refunds to which they are entitled.