Federal Treasury conducted a business liaison program in February and March, the findings of which were used to inform the Budget. A number of submissions to the program claimed that bans on plastic bags were hurting the $320 billion retail sector, as shoppers were less able to carry large amounts of groceries to their car or to their home. From The Australian:
…a slew of companies… complained to the government’s chief economic department about the effect that banning plastic bags was having on slowing activity in the $320 billion retail sector.
“Several firms suggested that the introduction of a ban on plastic bags meant customers reduced their consumption to an amount that they could instead carry, and delayed purchases of heavier groceries,” notes the report, sent from Treasury economist Angelia Grant to Josh Frydenberg and his assistant ministers on April 2.
