Dwyer Welcomes Labor Backflip on Coffee Cup Mandate

Dwyer Welcomes Labor Backflip on Coffee Cup Mandate

Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer has welcomed the Labor Government's decision to abandon its proposed reusable coffee cup mandate, saying Labor has finally listened to the concerns of small businesses across New South Wales.

Mr Dwyer said, “NSW Parliament recently passed new laws to reduce plastic waste, including rules that would have required cafés and takeaway outlets to join a reusable cup scheme, where customers borrow a cup and return it later or risk fines of up to $110,000.

“Cafés would also have had to offer dine-in customers a mug or glass. Just a week after the laws passed, the Government announced it would now scrap both requirements.

“Labor has done the right thing by backflipping on this coffee cup mandate,” Mr Dwyer said.

“From day one, café owners, small businesses and local communities raised concerns about the cost, complexity and practicality of this policy. It simply wasn't workable for many businesses already facing significant financial pressures.”

Mr Dwyer said the reversal was a win for common sense and for the thousands of small business owners who spoke out against the proposal.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and they don't need more red tape from government at a time when they're already battling rising costs.”

“I welcome Labor finally acknowledging the concerns raised by business owners and customers across the state.”

Mr Dwyer said the Government should now move quickly to provide certainty to businesses.

“If Labor accepts this policy is flawed, then it should act immediately to remove any uncertainty for businesses rather than leaving the issue unresolved.”

“This outcome shows that when communities stand up and make their voices heard, governments should listen,” Mr Dwyer said.

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