The Palaszczuk Government has commissioned Queensland Productivity Commission (QPC) to analyse the price impacts on beverages in the first year of the container refund scheme.
Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said QPC will monitor and report on prices of a number of beverages and the impacts across a range of consumers, suppliers and retailers.
"It has now been six months since the start of Containers for Change and it's been wonderful to see so many Queenslanders jump on board with this recycling initiative, which has seen more than 440 million containers returned and more than 630 jobs created so far," she said.
"Queensland's scheme is a product stewardship model, which is the same as container refund schemes operating in NSW, SA, ACT and the Northern Territory.
"We want to ensure that beverage companies are acting fairly and that prices are in line with the costs of the scheme.
"We will not tolerate any unreasonable price increases on any range of beverages in Queensland."
The Queensland Productivity Commission has released an issues paper, and Queenslanders have been invited to respond.
"I encourage all Queenslanders to have their say on beverage pricing," Ms Enoch said.
As part of its review, QPC will specifically monitor:
- The effect of the scheme on prices of beverages sold in Queensland in an eligible container;
- The effect of the scheme on competition for beverages and the performance and conduct of beverage manufacturers and retailers;
- Any other specific market impacts on consumers that arise from the commencement of the scheme.
