Legislative Council Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2) 51 2 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Zero Waste SA ZERO WASTE SA The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK Legislative Council ZERO WASTE SA The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (14:35): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Environment a question about Zero Waste. Leave granted. The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK Legislative Council The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK: The annual report for 2005-06 for Zero Waste refers to a project entitled 'Benefit cost analysis for South Australia's waste strategy'. According to the annual report, the study will assess the drivers and barriers for achieving the targets and how Zero Waste SA can adjust resource allocation to achieve a better cost benefit outcome. My questions to the minister are: 1.	Can she confirm that a draft report is available but has not been released because the government does not like what is in it? 2.	Has she received any reports from the EPA outlining its concern about stockpiling in the resource recovery and recycling sectors as a result of any increase to the waste levy, and does she support any further increases in the solid waste levy in future financial years? The Hon. G.E. GAGO Legislative Council Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Environment and Conservation, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health) (14:36): I thank the honourable member for her questions. In relation to the draft report, I would need to take that question on notice and bring back a response. I am not absolutely sure where it is up to, but I am happy to obtain the information and make it available. In terms of stockpiling, the EPA has indeed raised the issue; this is not a new issue. The EPA certainly has not raised it in relation to any increase in the waste levy fee, but it has been an ongoing issue for some time, the way that some of the industry operates. The EPA has given me some information through a briefing about that, and it has outlined strategies that it has put in place to monitor it and ensure compliance. I am satisfied with that. In terms of the waste levy, it is a budget matter. As the honourable member is well aware, all budget matters are considered in the annual budgetary process.