Grievance Debate

KESAB

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:31): In 2006, I sent a letter extending birthday wishes to KESAB (Keep South Australia Beautiful). It is an organisation that has been a leader in environmental action and education since 1966. The founders of KESAB were the Royal Automobile Association, General Motors Holden, Australian Glass Manufacturers, SA Brewing, Jaycees and The Advertiser.

I gave them that birthday greeting at the time, indicating that I had a New Year's resolution for 2007 and that was to ensure that we rid South Australia of plastic wrapping on our newspapers. Consistent with that, I wrote to the Editor of The Advertiser, Mr Mel Mansell, and indicated to him that getting rid of wrappers from our newspapers was an environmental matter which was of some importance to me, and I explained to him that:

Of course I recall the days of soggy newspapers, but surely it is time for us to review the matter particularly as:

(a) It is near impossible to find the end of the plastic to unravel it.

(b) It is wrapped so tightly it needs a garden roller to restore it to readable flatness.

(c) The plastic is so tough you need a butcher's knife to open it.

(d) And we are in a drought most of the year so it was no longer fit for purpose.

(e) It can't be ecologically sound. It must do the same damage as plastic shopping bags.

Since that time we have heard a lot from representatives around Australia concerning shopping bags, and they seem to have grabbed the attention of a number of people who are concerned about ensuring that we minimise the damage of single-wrapping, throw-away packaging that has been a blight on the environment. It is fair to say that, whilst I received responses from Mr Hamra, Mr Mansell and also Mr Gardner, The Advertiser took the view that it was a matter in Peter Wylie's responsibility, so of course it was flipped over to him.

A couple of years ago, this came to their attention and went down through the ranks, and I have had a few meetings. They referred me to the Australian Newsagents Federation because they represent the people who roll them, wrap them and distribute them, often small businesses spotted around the metropolitan area.

It is important to note that we in South Australia have a very high level of home delivery of newspapers, and therefore it is an area of particular concern in this state. I am pleased to report to the house that after a number of years of meetings I was recently advised by Mr Colin Shipton, the current state manager (we have been through one or two since this started) of the Australian Newsagents' Federation, that they have been in constructive discussion with The Advertiser and, as I understand it, have at least progressed to the stage where they are now considering a thinner plastic wrapping but also over a much smaller width.

Whether we end up having two thin strips of plastic at either end of the newspaper or a centre strip may depend on the decisions made as to how they might secure the weekend newspapers, which of course are very thick. I think they also have an occupational health and safety issue with the people who have to throw these newspapers, but I am pleased to at least be able to report that that is progressing, and I will advise the house in due course how we go with that project. I think it is an important issue for South Australia because we have the opportunity to lead the nation in this area, and I look forward to providing a further report in due course.