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Garrett Ban on Plastic Bag is ‘Populist Politics’ - ARA’s Evans says Leadership Not Legislation

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has branded the Federal Government's push to ban plastic bags as populist politics.

ARA Executive Director Richard Evans said the consideration of phasing out plastic bags in this country is high on politics and low on reality.

"Whoever thinks legislation can save the planet is off the planet," Evans said.
The ARA is responding to reports that the Environment Minister Peter Garrett is considering plans to have plastic bags phased out by the end of the year either by imposing a levy on each bag or banning them outright.

"This initiative will cause confusion, increase costs and add a further compliance burden to retailers. The ARA supports a system of voluntary compliance. The use of plastic bags in supermarkets has reduced by 45% between 2002 and 2005. The issue here is not about the availability of plastic bags, it is about litter management. Consumers need to take greater responsibility of how they reuse and dispose of plastic bags... it's a litter issue," Evans said.

"Legislation won't fix the problem. Where do you draw the line on plastic bags ... which plastic bags; what exemptions will apply; what are the alternatives? Is the Minister suggesting we should go back to paper? Surely this will add greater problems to global warming?

"What the ARA wants is leadership and further dialogue on this very important issue, not populist rhetoric and the heavy hand of legislation about plastic carry bags. Retailers have been leading on this issue for over six years and the proposed ban is just more emotional rhetoric and populist politics.

"Retailers are concerned about environmental damage too, and while the ARA agrees more should be done to reduce plastic bag litter, it does not agree with legislation or increased taxes. Ultimately the consumer will pay.

"The Productivity Commission has already warned against the dangers of non-targeted solutions, such as bans, taxes and levies, with estimates of the economic cost approximately $1 billion. It has proposed much more targeted and effective solutions, leaving plastic bag use where it is the best option," Evans said.

"The ARA supports the voluntary actions of best practice retailers and consumers to reduce plastic bag use and other packaging, but opposes bans and levies. It will not resolve the issue only cause confusion, cost and compliance."

For over 104 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $292 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Workplace Relations Act and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia. Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.

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