Onerous wastes law wasting time and money

The Supplementary Order Paper from the Government on the Waste Minimisation (Solids) Bill is still riddled with unforced errors and unanswered questions, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern).

“The proposals have all the hallmarks of previous undemocratic law changes without consultation, like those for KiwiSaver and the Holidays Act,” said EMA executive Garth Wyllie.

“In the same way both of those brought in cost and compliance shocks at the last minute, the Waste Bill seems hell bent on creating more bureaucracy and avoidable costs for business.



“The consultation process until the Bill is enacted is unclear. There seems no opportunity for those directly affected to help identify the flaws in its proposals or to help make them work at least cost.



“Though it is extremely wasteful to have to go back to the Select Committee again with more submissions, any move not to consult further would be undemocratic.



“There is also no time available as the Select Committee is due to report back to Parliament by 31st October and for the Bill to be voted on late this year.



“The proposals include a national waste levy of $10 a tonne on waste going to landfill, (with half going to local councils), product stewardship legislation, establishing a network of recycling facilities in public areas, new requirements for reporting on waste data and a review of roles and responsibilities of local and central government.

“Business opposes the proposed $10 per tonne levy on waste to landfills on top of the current user-pays fees for landfill users - they amount to a tax without direct representation on how the funds collected are spent.
“In any case, business has no confidence in local government’s ability to invest waste levy funds wisely.