[no bill text published] Fines for Releasing Any Number of Lighter-Than-Air Balloons
Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Balloons) Bill 2024
Private Member's BillLegislative Assembly
Legislative Council
Assent
Introduced by: Kobi Shetty MP (GRN)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
James Griffin LIB
“I lead for the Opposition in debate on the Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Balloons) Bill 2024. It is good to be back in the saddle, after the recent reshuffle, taking on the shadow ministry for the environment. The bill seeks to amend the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 to prohibit the release of helium balloons into the environment.”
Jenny Leong GRN
“It seems we have a Greens "Bring your parents to Parliament" day. It seems that other MPs did not get the memo that today is Family Day in the Parliament. I acknowledge that our parents are here.”
“I oppose the Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Balloons) Bill 2024 and reiterate the words of the Parliamentary Secretary in her contribution to the second reading debate. I share the concerns of the member for Balmain and the member for Newtown around litter and ensuring that our wildlife and environment are protected. This Government is committed to reducing litter.”
Tamara Smith GRN
“I am happy to support my colleague the member for Balmain and her excellent legislation that we debate today, the Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Balloons) Bill 2024. I have been in this Chamber long enough now to hear the language of postponement and the euphemisms that surround it. I urge the minority Labor Government to please be bold.”
Maryanne Stuart ALP
“I contribute to debate on the Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Balloons) Bill 2024. I share the concerns of the member for Balmain, the member for Newtown and the member for Ballina, but I do not support the bill because the New South Wales Government is progressing action now to address unnecessary and problematic plastics, including lighter‑than‑air balloon releases.”
Donna Davis ALP
“I do not support the Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Balloons) Bill 2024. The New South Wales Government is committed to reducing the environmental impacts of unnecessary and problematic plastics, including those caused by balloon releases and balloon-related items that end up as litter.”
Lynda Voltz ALP
“I think we should ban all balloons as soon as humanly possible. I am not scared of many things but I do have a bit of globophobia. My children used to terrorise me with balloons, and I banned them from children’s parties a long time ago. I can’t ban them soon enough!”
Greg Warren ALP
“I am delighted to contribute to debate on the Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Balloons) Bill 2024. I acknowledge the member for Balmain for bringing the bill before the House today and providing us with the opportunity to talk about the protection of our environment, which is special to most of us in this place.”
Anna Watson ALP
“I acknowledge the member for Balmain and congratulate her on her work on the Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Balloons) Bill 2024. Members will have different views on it, and it is important that we continue to work together until we get the environmental protection outcomes that this State absolutely deserves.”
Karen McKeown ALP
“My brief contribution to debate on the Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Balloons) Bill 2024 will be minute. I also acknowledge and recognise the member for Balmain for her passion and dedication in this particular area, and I thank her for bringing the bill to the House.”
News articles and press releases
Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Balloons) Bill 2024
Ms KOBI SHETTY, Member for Balmain — 2024-06-06
The bill seeks to amend the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 to prohibit the release of helium balloons into the environment. Currently, under the Act, it is illegal to release 20 or more lighter‑than‑air balloons. The bill seeks to amend section 146E to make it an offence to release one or more lighter‑than‑air balloons into the environment. The change would bring New South Wales legislation in line with recognised best practice adopted in other States, including Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria, and shortly to be adopted in the Northern Territory. It would help to significantly reduce plastic pollution in our environment.