Big brewer claims it has been gagged as container refund bill decision looms

One of the state’s major brewers says it has been “gagged” in the container refund scheme debate as the government pressures the Upper House to quickly pass the legislation.

TASMANIA could miss out on having a container refund scheme for years to come if the Upper House does not pass the legislation in the last sitting week of parliament, a government minster has warned.

Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said Tasmanians had been calling for a container deposit scheme for decades and having one would remove tonnes of litter from the landscape.

But he said if debate was not finalised this week, Tasmania could fall behind.

“If it gets through we could have the scheme up and running by next Christmas. If not, it could be years,” he said on Sunday.

Under the proposed legislation, Tasmanians would receive 10 cents for each eligible bottle or can returned to a designated refund point.

Drink containers make up 45 per cent of Tasmania’s litter by volume and every Australian state and territory​​ has a container refund scheme or has committed to implement one.

Drink containers make up 45 per cent of Tasmania’s litter by volume.

But one of Tasmania’s two big brewers said it had been “gagged” in the debate.

“We have key points we wish to raise about the scheme design to ensure we get the best result for Tasmania,” Boag’s head brewer Nathan Calman said.

Mr Calman said he was disappointed Boag’s had been denied the opportunity to brief the Legislative Council ahead of their review of the legislation.

Mr Calman said a request made by the brewery was denied on the basis that “all briefings time slots on this Bill have been allocated”.

“We are entirely supportive of a container refund scheme in Tasmania, in fact we believe that a target of 85 per cent should be legislated and the scheme should be designed to maximise both recycling and job creation for small business,” he said.

Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said the government had been “building this legislation for years”.

Mr Calman said he understood other key stakeholders, including the Tasmanian Small Business Council, were also denied the opportunity to brief the Legislative Council on what the effects of the Bill would be on business.

“Tasmania only has one opportunity to get the implementation of a container refund scheme right. It is disappointing that not all stakeholders have been given the chance to have their say equally,” he said.

Mr Jaensch said rather than being gagged, Boag’s had been very vocal in the debate.

“We have been building this legislation for years and are very confident we have asked all the questions and got the answers,” he said.

Originally published as Big brewer claims it has been gagged as container refund bill decision looms