Environmental groups today described as unacceptable, the beverage industry opposition to key reforms to improve the integrity and governance of Qld’s drink container refund laws, including a threat by Coca Cola to consider withdrawing from the scheme.*

“The excessive control by the beverage sector of the scheme via its COEX body, including rollout of refund points, is the prime source of the serious governance and integrity problems found by the Qld Parliamentary Inquiry. The industry is now seeking to defer and white ant the significant reforms being considered by the parliament,” said Jeff Angel, Director of the Boomerang Alliance of 56 national, state and local NGOs.

“The Government and ALP Opposition should reject the drink industry position and we

believe go even further with a reform to spilt control of refund points into a separate entity so convenient access for consumers to obtain their refund can be maximised. We also support the recommendation of the Qld Crime and Corruption Commission to “ensure that any suspected corrupt conduct of the PRO [COEX], prior to the commencement of the amendments, could be appropriately assessed and/ or investigated by the CCC.”

“We can’t let the beverage sector muck it up again. The findings of the Parliamentary

Inquiry were damning and the community expects a robust response on accountability and oversight, from government and the opposition,” Mr Angel said.

*See submissions: Coca Cola and Australian Beverage Council

Further information: Jeff Angel, info@boomerangalliance.org.au