Page 1739 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 15 May 2019
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can be a staffing impact as well, in the washing of the cups. These are things that must be taken into consideration. Plus, there is the additional cost to purchase the cup.
We hear a lot in this place about vulnerable people, people on low incomes and other vulnerability factors. What of them? What if for some of them that dollar, or whatever the price may be, is the difference in whether or not they can afford that cup of coffee today? It is taking away autonomy from businesses and people. It is stopping them from making their own choices about what is best for them. I also feel that the government will have to come up with a different analogy. If the cost of coffee is going to go up, instead of their saying, “This is only the equivalent of the cost of a cup of coffee a day,” they will have to come up with something else. Maybe it will be the glass of sparkling water a day rather than the cost of a cup of coffee.
We already have a high cost of living here in the ACT. Things are going up all the time. Consumers should not face increased prices because of a potential trial that has been called for, given that it can already happen if there is demand, and if the businesses themselves feel it is what their customers want and what they can accommodate in their business. There must be consultation with the businesses. I would like to know how many coffee shops in the Gungahlin area Ms Orr has communicated with and how many have agreed to participate. Has she talked with consumers and had any feedback on whether the cost would be a barrier to some people purchasing their takeaway coffee? What will it mean for the plastic lids? Will they be recyclable? These issues are important to look at.
We do not need certainty about whether we have re-usable cups. Businesses are already doing it right across Canberra—in Gungahlin, in Tuggeranong and everywhere in between. We need to trust people to do what is best for them and what is best for their customers. Generally speaking, what is best for their customers is what is best for a business.
Whilst reducing waste is important and whilst implementing or encouraging the use of re-usable plastic cups is a great idea—already I keep cups that I give out to constituents; I think it is a good idea—mandating, at some point in the future, because generally that is what a pilot, even an opt-in trial, is about, will lead to further regulation and further legislation. This is what we are concerned about: the unnecessary intrusion of government into the lives of small businesses and consumers, the vast majority of whom are doing the right thing. I commend Ms Orr for bringing this to the Assembly. The use of re-usable coffee cups is a good idea. Reducing waste is important for us all and should be encouraged. But is this the right way to do it? We are not convinced.
I seek leave to move the amendments circulated in my name:
Leave granted.
MS LAWDER: I move:
(1) Insert new paragraphs (1)(e) and (f):
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