The Australian Beverages Council has joined calls for the Federal Government to reconsider its decision not to progress national packaging regulation during the current parliamentary term.
The Australian Beverages Council (ABCL) has described the decision as a major setback for extended producer responsibility, recycling investment and the development of a nationally consistent packaging framework.
ABCL CEO Geoff Parker said the delay risked entrenching a fragmented state-by-state system, adding complexity for businesses and weakening investment certainty for Australian manufacturing.
“Manufacturers, packaging companies, the waste and recycling industry as well as environmental groups have been clear in their support for national reforms, and this decision is yet another setback for Australian industry,” Parker said.
He said that, in the absence of national regulation, state and territory governments would need to collaborate closely to ensure any reforms were consistent across borders and supported continued investment in local manufacturing.
The Council also addressed concerns about the potential cost of packaging reform. It noted that beverages are already covered by mandated EPR arrangements through container deposit schemes, which it said have had limited impact on household budgets. It also pointed to recent research indicating that the proposed reforms would add minimally to the cost of a weekly grocery shop.
ABCL is calling on the Federal Government to reconsider its position and commit to a nationally consistent EPR scheme and broader packaging reforms. It maintains that a well-designed framework could improve packaging recovery, support domestic recycling and provide businesses with greater certainty, while managing costs and avoiding duplication across jurisdictions.
