List
of recommendations
Recommendation 1
8.29 The
committee recommends that any future Australian Government policies on
mitigating the threat from marine plastic be underpinned by sound,
peer-reviewed research.
Recommendation 2
8.30 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government actively support research
into the effects of marine plastic pollution in Australian waters including
research to more fully evaluate:
- the extent of marine
plastic pollution;
- the sources of marine
plastic pollution;
- the effects at the
population level; and
- the effects on
ecosystems particularly in the Great Barrier Reef.
Recommendation 3
8.31 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government actively support research
into the threat posed by microplastic pollution including research to:
- identify the extent
of microplastic pollution;
- evaluate the effects
of microplastic pollution on marine fauna;
- evaluate the effects
of microplastic pollution on ecosytems; and
- identify mitigation
measures.
Recommendation 4
8.32 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government actively support research
into the threat posed by marine plastic pollution, particularly microplastic,
on human health.
Recommendation 5
8.33 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government undertake work to identify
and establish the costs of the externalities associated with marine plastic
pollution.
Recommendation 6
8.36 The
committee recommends that industry contributes further funding of scientific
research through the Australian Packaging Covenant.
8.37 The
committee recommends that this funding be provided for research which
particularly addresses the effect of marine plastic pollution on marine fauna,
and human health from ingestion as well as research to identify mitigation
strategies.
Recommendation 7
8.40 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government consult with stakeholders,
including the Tangaroa Blue Foundation, CSIRO and relevant scientists, to
explore mechanisms to establish a national marine pollution database.
Recommendation 8
8.45 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government place marine plastic
pollution on the Council of Australian Government agenda for urgent
consideration.
8.46 In
recognition of the level of threat associated with plastic pollution in
Australia's marine environment, and the need for a comprehensive and
coordinated response, the committee recommends that the Australian Government
pursue the establishment of a working group, under the auspices of the meeting
of environment ministers, to address specific matters related to marine plastic
pollution.
Recommendation 9
8.50 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government explore opportunities for
increased regional leadership and direct support on the issue of marine plastic
pollution, including projects focused on ghost net recovery.
Recommendation 10
8.54 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government pursue mechanisms to
improve support and coordination of clean-up activities through the meeting of
environment ministers working group to ensure that the most effective outcomes
of these activities are achieved.
Recommendation 11
8.61 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government:
- supports CSIRO research to identify
the extent of ghost nets in Australian waters, and to identify means to prevent
the loss of fishing gear;
- supports the development of innovative
technologies for the tagging of fishing gear and supports the introduction of
these technologies by the Australian-based fishing industry, and by fishing
industries in regional countries;
- undertakes a review of current
Commonwealth arrangements to detect and remove ghost nets; and
- develops a nationally consistent
strategy through the meeting of environment ministers working group to ensure
that ghost nets are collected in a timely manner in the Australian Fishing
Zone, and coastal waters.
Recommendation 12
8.62 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government reinstate funding for
GhostNets Australia to allow it to continue its work to identify and retrieve
ghost nets.
Recommendation 13
8.65 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government, through the meeting of
environment ministers working group, encourage all jurisdictions to support the
implementation of targeted education campaigns which aim to change consumer
behaviour in relation to the use of plastics, and to provide consumers with
information regarding alternatives to traditional plastic.
Recommendation 14
8.70 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government implement the
recommendations from the Senate Environment and Communications References
Committee inquiry into stormwater management in Australia, in particular:
- Recommendation 1—the development and
implementation of a national policy framework for stormwater management (a
National Stormwater Initiative); and
- Recommendation 4—the consideration of
new funding models and financial incentives that would facilitate improved
stormwater management outcomes in an economically efficient way.
Recommendation 15
8.78 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government, through the meeting of
environment ministers working group, actively encourage the states and
territories, which have not already done so, to consider the most effective
methods to address marine plastic pollution in their jurisdictions. These
should include implementation of container deposit schemes and other
anti-littering mitigation strategies.
Recommendation 16
8.79 The
committee recommends that, if all states and territories have not introduced
container deposit scheme legislation by 2020, the Australian Government revisit
the issue with the view to developing legislation for those jurisdictions which
are yet to implement container deposit schemes.
Recommendation 17
8.84 The
committee recommends that the revised Australian Packaging Covenant include
improved reporting and compliance by industry.
Recommendation 18
8.85 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government, through the meeting of
environment ministers working group, engage with states and territories to
improve enforcement of the Australian Packaging Covenant.
Recommendation 19
8.86 The
committee recommends that the Department of the Environment give consideration
to recognising the role of product stewardship in the Threat Abatement Plan by
including reference to the Australian Packaging Covenant
Recommendation 20
8.88 The
committee recommends that the review of the Australian Packaging Covenant
include support for the development innovative packing solutions that offer alternatives
to plastics.
Recommendation 21
8.91 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government support states and
territories in banning the use of single-use lightweight plastic bags. In doing
so, the Australia Government should ensure that alternatives do not result in
other pollutants entering the environment.
Recommendation 22
8.95 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government move to immediately ban the
importation and production of personal care products containing microbeads.
Recommendation 23
8.97 The
committee recommends that the Australian Government, through the meeting of
environment ministers working group, identify measures, including regulatory
measures, already available to prevent plastics entering the marine environment
and ensure that they are being implemented effectively in all jurisdictions. In
particular, the committee recommends that more effective enforcement of
environmental laws in relation to preventing nurdles entering the waste
management system be pursued.
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