Single use plastics to get boot in vote
State MP for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen, says she will be voting for every child who has spoken to her about phasing out single-use plastics, for the volunteers who work tirelessly to clean up the Cooks River, and for the consumers who have already taken action to change their own behaviour but want to see leadership from this Premier.
Almost one year to the day that State MP for Summer Hill, Jo Haylen met with members of the local community groups and environmentalists along the banks of the Cooks River to discuss their concerns and call to ban single-use plastic bags, the Labor Opposition will vote for a statewide ban.
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay says NSW is now lagging behind every other state and territory across Australia when it comes to banning the bag.
“Matt Kean and his three Liberal predecessors know exactly what needs to happen but the Government doesn’t have the guts to do it,” she said.
“It’s time for the Premier to show some leadership and work with Labor to clean up our environment and our waterways.”
Ms Haylen says she will be proudly voting to ban single-use plastic bags.
She said despite the efforts of local community groups and environmentalists, single-use plastic bags continued to be a huge pollution problem in the Cooks River.
“We need real leadership to end plastic pollution, and the current Government is failing on every measure,” she said.
NSW Labor Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage Kate Washington said: “How can the Liberals and Nationals stand by while our environment and waterways continue to be contaminated by single-use plastic bags?
“Single-use plastic bags aren’t just a danger to our environment and to marine life, they release microplastics that are toxic and dangerous for people too,” she said.
“We all know what the problem is and we all know what the solution is. There is nothing stopping this Government from acting now except for petty politics and a lack of leadership.”