South Australia has beaten Queensland as the first state to ban plastic straws, cutlery and drink stirrers, but COVID is delaying when it can come into effect.
The new rules in South Australia puts a stop to the sale, supply and distribution of plastic straws, cutlery and drink stirrers – and may include other plastic items such as coffee cups and fruit and vegetable carrier bags later on.
“There has been significant community and industry support for swift action on single-use plastic products with many households and businesses across the state already taking steps to remove them,” he said. “This will give businesses time to bounce back and properly prepare before the ban comes into effect in early 2021. This approach strikes an appropriate balance between the public’s desire for change and the needs of businesses.”
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Australia becomes first state in the country to ban single-use plasticsThe South Australian parliament has passed laws banning single-use plastics but the measures will be delayed until next year because of COVID-19.
Read more »
South Australia passes laws banning single-use plasticSouth Australia will be the first state in the country to ban single-use plastics after new laws passed parliament yesterday.
Read more »
Andrews downplays sending health officials to observe New South Wales contact tracing | Sky News AustraliaPremier Daniel Andrews has downplayed a decision to send Victorian health officials to New South Wales to examine the state's contact tracing system, labelling it nothing more than a 'triple-check'.\n\n'It's not like they haven't been talking; they're been in constant contact,' Mr Andrews said.\n\n'You all learn from each other and there are plenty of insights we've provided to New South Wales.'\n\nOpposition Leader Michael O'Brien argued the move was 'too little, too late'.\n\nVictoria has begun revamping its tracing process, taking it online, with the program largely being conducted on pen and paper, and in some cases, fax machines.\n\nPrime Minister Scott Morrison declared the New South Wales health system was 'the gold standard' while Health Minister Greg Hunt claimed Victoria could have largely avoided its second wave if it had a better contact tracing system.\n\nChief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton conceded the system buckled under pressure.\n\nImage: News Corp Australia\n\n\n
Read more »
New South Wales to manufacture ventilators | Sky News AustraliaPremier Gladys Berejiklian says New South Wales will manufacture ventilators, which can be distributed domestically and overseas.\n\n'Can I say how incredibly proud I am that after March, when Minister Ayres and myself, issued a call to arms to NSW businesses to support us during the pandemic we've had two different groups of smart people, one university-based in Sydney another company based in Hunter work together to provide the prototypes of these two great ventilators,' Ms Berejiklian said.\n\nThe ventilators will be produced in a few months and should have regulatory approval shortly according to Ms Berejiklian.\n\n'They are going through the approval process and are nearly there for manufacturing. It is a really exciting time in NSW.'\n\nHealth Minister Brad Hazzard said the crucial instruments can be the difference between life and death.\n\n“In some of the worst-hit nations, health staff was forced to choose who got access to a ventilator, so we need a reliable local supply chain to safeguard NSW patients,” Mr Hazzard said.\n\nThe state recorded nine new cases of COVID-19 overnight.\n
Read more »
New South Wales to carry national financial burden as state borders remain closed | Sky News AustraliaPressure is mounting on the New South Wales government to boost infrastructure spending to help lift the country out of recession and lingering effects fiscal losses will have on the economy.\n\nStates and territories face a $33 billion GST deficit as New South Wales alone is set to take a $10 billion shortfall across the next four years.\n\nNSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said border closures were a contributing factor to the reduction in GST revenue, urging states to open up.\n\nThe federal government faced a record deficit of at least $200 billion in the October budget.\n\nImage: News Corp Australia
Read more »