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Qld, NSW point finger over waste

Queensland and NSW have offered few solutions to the problem of waste being shipped north of the border to escape dump fees.

Jackie Trad
Qld Deputy Premier Jackie Trad has blamed the former LNP for an increase in interstate dumping. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Fingers have been pointed in all directions but few solutions offered from politicians either side of the border to the problem of waste being shipped from NSW to Queensland.

Queensland's Labor government has blamed the problem on the former LNP government's decision to axe a waste levy, thereby making it more attractive for operators to ship waste from NSW to avoid charges there.

The state's opposition says NSW is to blame for the problem for not ensuring its waste stayed within state borders, while NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was up to Queensland to sort it out.

The issue hit the spotlight following Monday night's Four Corners report, which claimed transport companies brought more than 750,000 tonnes of waste into Queensland last year.

Labor first introduced a waste levy in Queensland in 2012, but it was promptly removed by the LNP following their election later that year.

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Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the problem had grown substantially worse in that time.

"We have known for quite some time that this has been a growing problem in Queensland, ever since Campbell Newman and Tim Nicholls took away the landfill levy," she told ABC radio on Tuesday.

"In 2012, 10,000 tonnes of interstate rubbish came to Queensland (and) this year it is anticipated to be 600,000 tonnes."

But she said Labor would not reinstate the levy in line with its election promise not to introduce any new fees and charges.

The LNP has also ruled out reintroducing the levy, claiming it would increase cost of living pressures on families, and denies Queensland is responsible for the problem.

"We wouldn't be in this mess if NSW didn't have a waste levy and enforced its own 'proximity rules'," opposition environment spokesman Christian Rowan said.

He was referring to a law which makes it an offence to transport waste more than 150km from where it was generated.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk described the situation as "alarming" and believes a national waste strategy is the way forward.

She says she will speak to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian about her concerns.

But Ms Berejiklian has responded to the issue with a GST barb.

"Well I begrudge the fact that we pay billions to Queensland in GST every year and I would say to Queensland, 'focus on being a good government and doing what you need to do'," Ms Berejiklian said.

"There is no excuse for anybody who doesn't obey the law, but any issue beyond that is a matter for the Queensland premier."


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