Tuesday, 12 May 2026

 Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Environment, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (12:58): I rise to inform the house about the container deposit scheme Win a Million Cents competition, which I recently launched at the Port Phillip EcoCentre. This fantastic competition, now in its second year, is running from 4 May to 14 June 2026. Five Victorians stand to win $10,000 each, with one of the lucky winners able to also donate $10,000 to a registered CDS Vic donation partner of their choice – a really deserving charity. Entry is simple: return 50 or more containers in a single transaction at any of our 620 refund points across the state and complete a short entry form. There is no limit on the number of times you can enter. This competition is designed to continue the growth of and participation in the scheme throughout the year, while broadening community awareness of the scheme.

Evan Mulholland interjected.

Enver ERDOGAN: Last year’s winners returned containers in Geelong, Gippsland, Wodonga and the Melbourne suburbs of Bayswater and Macleod – Mr Mulholland, I think near you – a geographic spread that reflects the reach of the scheme across the state. CDS Vic is one component of the Allan Labor government’s $538 million investment in Victoria’s circular economy transition that is helping divert up to 80 per cent of Victoria’s waste from landfill by 2030.

Since its commencement in November 2023 Victorians have returned more than 3 billion eligible containers. That is more than $300 million returned to the pocket of Victorians and $3 million donated to Victorians’ registered donation partners. This scheme has created over 600 new jobs in our state and reduced eligible containers found as litter by 71 per cent.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Port Phillip EcoCentre for hosting us; VicReturn for organising the competition; and the member for Albert Park for joining me on the launch of this competition, the hardworking Nina Taylor. Through the CDS our government is delivering for the environment while also putting money back into the pocket of all Victorians.