TRADERS are so frightened of voicing opposition to Fremantle council’s plastic bag ban they begged a pollie to keep their identities secret, state parliament has heard.
North Metro Liberal MLC Peter Katsambanis caused a minor uproar in the upper house Tuesday evening when he made the claim, while spearheading the ban’s defeat with a successful disallowance motion.
The plastic bag ban had required parliamentary approval to have legal effect.
“What has shocked me, I must say, is that universally every single one of those retailers has — I use these words advisedly — begged and pleaded with me not to mention their name anywhere for fear of reprisal,” Mr Katsambanis told the chamber. “That is concerning because, as we know, councils have all sorts of by-law powers and all sorts of compliance officers, be they health officers or other officers.”
While saying he didn’t ascribe any “malice” to councillors or staff, Mr Katsambanis said traders’ fears were genuine.
“I think that is a horrible situation to be in.”
Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt says Mr Katsambanis offered no evidence to back his claim, and stated “gossip” was inappropriate for parliamentary debate: “The city found the business community overwhelmingly supported the initiative but there would certainly not have been any reprisal towards local businesses if they didn’t support the proposed law,” he said.
He reckons traders are more likely to fear a backlash from environment-conscious customers who’d take their trade elsewhere.
Fremantle Labor MLA Simone McGurk says Mr Katsambanis’s motion illustrates disharmony within Liberal ranks over the issue. WA environment minister Albert Jacob hadn’t raised any objections to the ban when he’d written to her about the issue in July.
“If a local government wishes to lawfully introduce and pass such a local law, this is a matter for the local government authority,” Mr Albert had said.
“The state government does not regulate the use of plastic bags and has no intention of doing so.”
Mr Katsambanis had got stuck into Freo for having its second crack at a by-law he says, while noble in intention, should be left to state governments.
Dr Pettitt says the council is well within its rights: “It’s unfortunate the state government has blocked such a widely supported law that would have pioneered a sensible approach to waste reduction and environmental protection.”
by STEVE GRANT
