✦ Plain-English Summary

Recycling and Waste Reduction Charges (Customs) Bill 2020

What it does

This bill creates a new tax on waste material that Australian companies export overseas. It's designed to work alongside separate recycling laws to discourage shipping our rubbish abroad and encourage waste management at home. The tax applies as a customs charge when waste leaves the country.

Why it matters

Australia sends a lot of waste overseas, often to countries with poor environmental standards. This tax makes exporting waste more expensive, which should push Australian businesses to recycle and manage waste locally instead. It's part of a broader effort to stop being the world's dumping ground.

Key details

• What gets charged: Only "regulated waste material" is hit with the tax — the bill references a separate Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 that defines what counts
• Who pays: Companies and individuals exporting the waste are liable for the charges; some exemptions may apply (the bill allows these to be set out in regulations)
• When it starts: The tax kicks in once both this bill and the companion Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 have become law — it won't start if the other act doesn't pass

Official Description

Introduced with the Recycling and Waste Reduction Bill 2020, Recycling and Waste Reduction (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2020, Recycling and Waste Reduction Charges (General) Bill 2020 and Recycling and Waste Reduction Charges (Excise) Bill 2020, the bill imposes charges in relation to the export of regulated waste material, so far as those charges are duties of customs.

Committee Referrals

Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee; Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

No votes yet.

No votes were recorded for this bill.