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WA Premier Mark McGowan open to banning plastic bags

A phasing out of plastics is the best way shops can win trust, loyalty and dollars from consumers.

A phasing out of plastics is the best way shops can win trust, loyalty and dollars from consumers. Photo: Getty

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan says he is open to the idea of banning plastic bags if alternative options are equally convenient for shoppers.

Mr McGowan also said he supported local councils being able to make their own decisions, after the City of Fremantle’s attempt was prevented by the Barnett government in 2015.

“One of the things that drives me crazy is to see those images of whales or turtles or dolphins dying as a consequence of consuming plastic and we need to play our part to deal with that,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“Packaging is a big issue across the world and it’s destroying marine life, it’s destroying our oceans.”

Mr McGowan said he wanted to make it convenient for shoppers, while also doing what was best for the environment, so he would look at options available as an alternative to plastic bags.

“If they are as easy and available for consumers, well why shoudn’t we use those as opposed to plastic?” he said.

The premier’s comment came after Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said he wanted to ban or limit the use of plastic bags, and introduce a recycling refund scheme for cans and bottles.

Conservation Council of WA director Piers Verstegen said WA was one of the last states to ban plastic bags.

“Millions of plastic bags find their way into creeks, rivers, wetlands, and the ocean every year in WA and this pollution has a huge impact on marine life and aquatic ecosystems,” he said.

“Where plastic bags have been banned in other states, consumers and the community have strongly supported the move.

“Several large retailers have even stated that they would not oppose a ban on plastic bags.”

Rather than leave the issue to local governments, Mr Verstegen encouraged the premier to implement a state-wide ban.

Opposition leader Mike Nahan said the Liberals did not support local governments having the power to ban plastic bags, insisting it would not work.

“We do not support the ban on single use plastic bags … we should look at degradable bags,” he told reporters.

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