Flushable Wipes

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-119808

Hansard session: Fifty-Seventh Parliament, First Session (57-1)

Flushable Wipes

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (18:52:37):

I speak today about an environmental issue that I am passionate about. It is one that has been brought to my attention my members of my community. Earlier this year the Oatley Flora & Fauna Conservation Society, led by Kim Wagstaff, brought me up to speed on the issue of flushable wipes, which are posing a significant risk to our sewerage system and our environment. Recent Clean Up Australia Days have seen a number of these collected on the riverbanks of the Georges River. I am extending my support for Australian water authorities to provide guidelines and criteria for what makes an item acceptable to flush or not to flush, which is currently underway. This will ensure that plumbing and sewerage flow is not affected by the recent clogging caused by flushable wipes in the community.

I draw the House's attention to the environmental side effects of flushable wipes, as their microplastic fibres pose a threat to our marine environment. These wipes are made up of cellulose and pose a risk to wildlife when ingested. They can also become a choking hazard. With the evidence stacked up against flushable wipes as an alternative for toilet paper, I bring this to the attention of Parliament. While recent actions have been undertaken by the judicial system to increase accountability and to take direct action for misconduct, more must be done. The natural environment is our most sacred resource, and I certainly want to see greater regulation of the material make-up of supposedly flushable wipes. As some members may be aware, this issue was before the Federal Court in 2019 due to residential complaints about sewerage blockages on public and private property. Although the case was not successful due to inconclusive evidence, it shed a light on the importance of the issue not only in my electorate but also throughout Australia.

As a Government, we cannot spot-fix the cases of blockages where they arise, but we must look at the broader solution and propose legislative changes, increase individual understanding or change the Federal standard on the matter. The Water Services Association of Australia says that it spends in excess of $15 million a year cleaning up the effects of flushable wipes in our community. I am sure that the scale of this issue is not something at the front of mind for many people, but I believe that the issue has escalated over many years and we must do what we can to fix it. The costs are passed onto consumers and it is an expense that we are all paying for.

On behalf of my local community, I am pleased to have addressed this issue in the House today to start the conversation about how we go about tackling the overarching issue of flushable wipes, which is a big issue in the environment and across our riverbanks. We must regulate the materials and substances used within those products to protect our water movement and, most importantly, to protect our precious environment. I thank Kim Wagstaff and the Oatley Flora & Fauna Conservation Society for escalating the issue to me and bringing it to my attention during Clean Up Australia Day. I look forward to continuing this conversation in the future.