ACT Shadow Minister for Cost of Living, Zed Seselja recently criticized the ACT Government for spending $61,000 of ACT taxpayers’ money inspecting 2249 premises for compliance of the plastic shopping bag ban, primarily targeting small local businesses.
“This is yet another example of the ACT Labor Government tying up small business with excess regulation and inspection. We should be encouraging these businesses to grow, not wasting their time looking at what kind of bags they give their customers.” Mr. Seselja commented.
“This ban continues to cause inconvenience for small businesses and shoppers with little or no environmental gain. The small businesses that were not compliant risk a fine of up to $27,500, which is wildly out of kilter with the ‘offence’ or the real needs of the community,” concluded Mr. Seselja.