10/05/2005 - The 2005-06
Federal Budget includes $10.4 million for
initiatives to address waste and pollution
issues, the Minister for Environment and Heritage,
Senator Ian Campbell said today.
"The Australian Government is continuing
its practical and focused approach to addressing
environmental issues, both by working with
industry and by making sure Australians are
well-informed," Senator Campbell said.
"Minimising the impact of waste and
pollution on the environment is an issue for
all Australians and there are things we can
all do as part of our daily lives.
"The Australian Government is investing
$2 million over three years to work with industry
to promote the use of new technologies to
recycle used oil. Technologies such as hydrogenation
mean used oil can be recycled again and again.
"Recycling in other forms is also a
priority of this Budget. Australians have
embraced waste recycling and, with $300,000
over three years for a National Recycling
Hotline to be run by Planet Ark, the community
will have greater access to information about
what waste can be recycled in their local
areas.
"The Australian Government will deliver
on its election commitment to build on and
strengthen its successful Green Stamp Programme
with $900,000 over three years. This programme
encourages the automotive industry to step
up recycling, reducing its resource and energy
use and the use of toxic materials. The programme
will be managed through an extension of the
Department of the Environment and Heritage's
existing Eco-Efficiency Agreement with Motor
Trade Associations."
Senator Campbell said the Budget also focused
on air pollution, providing $1 million over
three years to scope the use of hydrogen buses
and the establishment of hydrogen fuel depots
in Australian capital cities.
"We will look at the potential for hydrogen
applications in urban bus fleets and the longer-term
use of sustainably-produced hydrogen,"
he said.
"In line with delivering practical solutions
at a community level, $1 million will be spent
over the next three years to improve air quality
in Launceston. Each winter, there are a number
of days when air quality in Tasmania's Tamar
Valley fails the national air quality standard
for particles, and there is strong evidence
that exposure to smoke particles has serious
health effects, including increased mortality
and respiratory illnesses.
"The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI)
will also receive $1.3 million in 2005-06
with a total of $5.2 million over four years
. This is an example of the Australian Government
working with industry to give Australians
access to information about pollutant emissions
in their local area."
