So here is my response from Luke Hartsuyker relating to a proposed National Container Deposit System.  I received this back in September - sorry it took so long to update here.

Dear Cameron

Thanks for your email about container deposits.

Although I can see the attraction of a national deposit scheme, this is a clear State responsibility. I believe the idea has merit and seems to work well in South Australia. You may want to raise the issue with your local State Member Andrew Fraser who can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Kind regards

Luke Hartsuyker

As an aside, the NSW Local Government & Shires Association has thrown it's weight behind a National Container Deposit System.  You can read their statement on their website here: http://www.lgsa.org.au/www/html/4098-9th-december-2011-its-time-for-container-deposit-schemes-councils-say.asp?intSiteID=1

The general gist being that the beverage industry should be responsible for their own waste, not local councils (in terms of bins in public places).

In other news, the NT deposit scheme commenced on 1 January.  Well done!

image source:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-16/20110916greens-on-container-deposits/2902210