Nationals' candidate for Lismore Dylan Butcher has slammed Lismore MP and Minister for Small Business Janelle Saffin for voting against an immediate repeal of Labor's coffee cup mandate.
NSW Nationals Leader Gurmesh Singh today moved to bring on the Plastic Reduction and Circular Economy Amendment (Repeal of Reusable Cup Mandate for Takeaway Businesses) Bill 2026. The bill would remove the requirement for takeaway businesses to offer customers a reusable cup through a reuse scheme.
Labor has already admitted the mandate is unworkable and promised to repeal it, but only after the March 2027 election. Asked in Parliament today whether she would support fixing it now, Ms Saffin said the government would "tidy this up after the election." She then voted against it.
Mr Butcher said small businesses were doing it really tough under Labor and deserved certainty, not more red tape.
"Last week I held a roundtable with small businesses and business owners from across our community. The message was loud and clear. They're angry, and they're sick of governments over-regulating them and making life harder," Mr Butcher said.
"Costs are up, interest rates are up, and record numbers of businesses are going under. The last thing they need is another bad law hanging over their heads.
"Even Labor admits this law is wrong. Our local member is the Small Business Minister. She had the chance to fix it today, and she voted against it.
"If it's a bad law, get rid of it now. Don't leave businesses guessing until after the election.
"I run a small business myself. I know how much uncertainty costs. Our businesses need a member who'll back them when it counts, not when it suits Labor's election timetable."
