Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Whish-Wilson for his question. I'm advised that when China first announced its restrictions, on 18 July 2017, the Australian government, through DFAT officials, immediately contacted several industry groups in the state and territory governments to inform them. Since that time, the Australian government has raised this matter with China on several occasions. Indeed, senior levels of government have engaged with China to request that the amendments be reviewed or delayed, including through representations by the embassy in Beijing and to the World Trade Organization. I am further advised that in December of 2017 the secretary of the department met with China's Vice-Minister of Environmental Protection, who provided a rationale for the restrictions but confirmed China's intent to implement the regulatory changes in the time frames notified to the WTO. Both Minister Ciobo and Minister Frydenberg wrote to China's Minister of Environmental Protection in 2017 noting Australia's concerns in relation to this matter and advising them Australia was closely monitoring China's implementation of the amendments. I am further advised that the department continues to work with DFAT and the states and territories to determine how the change will impact the domestic waste and scrap industries.