| Labor Backflips on Unworkable Coffee Cup Mandate |
** Gurmesh Singh, leader of the National Party in New South Wales and Shadow Minister for Small Business
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LABOR BACKFLIPS ON UNWORKABLE COFFEE CUP MANDATE
28 October 2026
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: After months of pressure from the NSW Liberals and Nationals and small business owners across the state, the Minns Labor Government has today announced plans to scrap their coffee cup mandate… after the election.
Yesterday on 2GB Premier Chris Minns defended his reusable coffee cup mandate, saying it was good policy with bad messaging. Less than 24 hours later, Environment Minister Penny Sharpe has told Ben Fordham that Labor would reverse the laws after the March 2027 election.
This red tape confusion comes at a time of record business insolvencies and mum and dad businesses struggling to absorb the costs of rising interest rates, changes to credit card surcharges and spiralling fuel costs.
That is why the NSW Liberals and Nationals will introduce a Bill to immediately repeal Labor’s reusable coffee cup mandate in the next Parliamentary sitting week to ensure these unnecessary laws are removed now, and not after the election.
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said Labor created this mess by attempting to fix a problem that did not exist.
“We stood with cafés and small businesses to stop this mandate, but Labor refused to listen and support our sensible amendments," Ms Sloane said.
“We will now give Labor another chance to reverse this legislation before Christmas by introducing a Repeal Bill next month.”
NSW Nationals Leader and Shadow Minister for Small Business Gurmesh Singh said it is great to see the Minister has reconsidered her position after months of pressure.
“We now have an extraordinary situation where Labor has made a commitment to repeal their own legislation next year if they win the election,” Mr Singh said.
“Businesses can’t wait that long. They’ve had enough of pointless government intervention and red tape. We will bring our Repeal Bill to Parliament next month to give business owners the certainty they need and deserve.”
“Congratulations to the thousands of small business owners across the state who have made their voices heard on this issue.”
Shadow Minister for the Environment Felicity Wilson said Labor’s backdown exposed its failure to develop a workable policy.
“Any future proposal must be developed with the businesses expected to make it work.” |
