Vic: Environment ministers begin plastic bags talks

AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-2008
Vic: Environment ministers begin plastic bags talks

MELBOURNE, April 17 AAP - Federal and state environment ministers will tackle the issue
of a proposed levy on plastic bags at a key meeting in Melbourne today.

The issue will top the agenda at the meeting of the Environment Protection and Heritage
Council, which groups environment ministers from Australian federal, state and territory
governments and New Zealand.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett spoke briefly to reporters as he headed
into the meeting.

"We're just going to aim to have a constructive meeting on the issues that are on the
agenda," he said.

"The commonwealth and states together... are environment ministers who recognise how
important the environment is for all Australians."

Queensland has said it would not support a levy that would add to costs on families,
but has called for an eventual ban on plastic bags.

Mr Garrett said earlier the discussion on plastic bags would be robust.

"We'll sit down with ministers and have that discussion, it is on the agenda," he told
reporters today.

"We want to really chew over these issues in a thorough way, and when we have that
meeting you will know the outcome."

The council meets twice a year and includes representatives from all over Australia
and New Zealand.

"When you look at the issues that Australians count as the most important, the environment
is right up there," Mr Garrett said.

The meeting will also look at container deposit legislation, recycling, and electronic
waste issues.

AAP kb/gfr/jl/mn

KEYWORD: PLASTIC MEETING

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