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Dan Andrews comes under fire for Victoria’s ban on plastic straws after the cafe in the state parliament building still uses them
- Cafe in the Victorian state house using plastic straws
- The items were banned in Victoria earlier this month.
- Premier admitted it was a challenge to achieve compliance
Daniel Andrews has come under fire for a controversial ban on a popular everyday item that his own workplace is struggling to comply with.
It’s been nearly three weeks since Victoria banned nearly all single-use plastics, including plastic drinking straws, across the state.
Businesses caught using the prohibited items can be fined $1,849 while individuals face a $370 fine.
However, it appears that some operators are still having difficulty understanding the new laws, including the Victorian Parliament Cafe in Melbourne.
Eagle-eyed reporters spotted the plastic straws still available on the cafeteria serving bench more than a week after the February 1 deadline, despite having two years to prepare for the ban.
The surprise revelation sparked a spirited exchange between the prime minister and several reporters at a recent press conference outside parliament last week. the aussie informed.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews admits recently implemented plastic straw ban has been a challenge for everyone
Andrews pointed the blame elsewhere when 3AW reporter Stephanie Waclawik pointed out the oversight and asked why straws were still available.
That would be up to the speaker and/or the chair. I don’t run the cafe. And I don’t comment on the coffee upstairs,” the prime minister snapped.
But that was not the end of the matter.
Political reporter Rachel Baxendale of The Australian questioned how Hospitality operators were expected to comply when new laws were proving challenging even for the state parliament’s own cafeteria.
Mr. Andrews then jumped to the cafeteria’s defense, arguing that the transition from plastic straws was difficult for everyone.
“I hope there are a number of businesses across the state that find this transition challenging,” he said.
“That’s why our focus is working with those companies to try to support them in following the new rules.”
Victoria banned almost all single-use plastics, including plastic drinking straws, on February 1.
The Prime Minister later admitted that more education and awareness were required.
“Every time I make a reform, every time I make a change, there will always be reasons why people don’t necessarily comply with the laws… If it was easy, someone else would have done it a long time ago,” he said.
Government Services Minister Danny Pearson also deflected responsibility when asked about the cafeteria straws.
“That’s a very good question, I think it could be a question for presidents,” he told reporters on February 8.
‘We will encourage the parliamentary cafe to do the right thing. There is a transition period that we need to work through and I’m sure people will get the memo.
Along with straws, plastic cutlery, drink stirrers, cotton swabs, and food and drink containers made from expanded polystyrene are also banned in Victoria.
Victoria’s state parliament cafeteria (pictured) was still using plastic straws after the controversial ban came into effect.
‘Single-use plastics make up a third of the pollution found in the environment in our state. They are used for a few minutes but can remain in waterways and parks for decades,” Andrews tweeted earlier this month.
“People who need single-use plastic straws for health or disability reasons can still purchase and use these items.”
The ban is part of Labor’s phased plan to reduce plastic waste with the goal of creating thousands of jobs and diverting 80 percent of waste from landfills by 2030.
It follows a similar recent ban in NSW which came into effect on 1 November.
Queensland already has a ban on single-use plastic straws and cups, while other jurisdictions are expected to follow suit.