The federal government will soon release a new plan to tackle plastic pollution, as well as updated procurement guidelines with strengthened sustainability provisions, a Senate inquiry has heard.
The Morrison government has drafted a waste Bill that would replace the Product Stewardship Act, and establish a new licensing regime for waste exporters.
Despite federal government plans to fast-track initial EPBC Act amendments, finalising bilateral approval agreements with states and territories will be a lengthy process, law firm Clayton Utz has cautioned.
Ministers Sussan Ley and Trevor Evans have confirmed they want an EU-style e-waste stewardship scheme in Australia, and have agreed voluntary approaches need "a credible threat of regulation" as a backstop.
The federal government will this financial year consider implementing an EU-style mandatory stewardship scheme for electronic and electrical waste, and has announced $190 million in new recycling infrastructure funding.
The federal environment department doesn't effectively set EPBC Act approval conditions, has failed to properly specify offset requirements, and is ineffectual at monitoring compliance, says a new report by the Auditor-General.
Waste Reduction Minister Trevor Evans is expected to release a draft Bill in the next few weeks on arrangements for implementing the Morrison government's waste export restrictions.