✦ Plain-English Summary

Recycling and Waste Reduction Charges (General) Bill 2020

What it does

The federal government can now charge fees on companies that export waste material overseas. These charges work like a tax on waste exports—the money collected is supposed to encourage Australian businesses to recycle and manage waste better at home rather than shipping it abroad.

Why it matters

For years, Australia has sent massive amounts of waste overseas (especially to Asia), creating environmental problems in other countries while letting local recycling industries struggle. This bill is meant to make exporting waste more expensive, so companies have a financial reason to invest in Australian recycling instead.

Key details

• Who pays: Companies and organisations exporting regulated waste materials are responsible for the charges
• When it starts: The bill only kicks in once the related Recycling and Waste Reduction Act 2020 passes—so it's part of a broader waste management package, not standalone
• Who's exempt: The bill allows for some exemptions to be set out in regulations (details on who gets relief aren't fully spelled out in this excerpt)
• State involvement: State governments must follow this law, but the Commonwealth itself isn't bound by it

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 (Customs) 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 neither duties of customs nor duties of excise.

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.