Mrs GASH(7.56 p.m.) —I rise to inform this House of the display of paper products that took place today, which was very important for everyone in this building. In speaking this evening, I am not out to advertise a particular product, but I do want to draw attention to a situation that many in the House would not be aware of. In fact, they may have been unwittingly using imported paper and therefore contributing to our foreign debt. I am an environmentally conscious person and fully aware that the use of paper is essential and, moreover, that the members and senators of this parliament use vast quantities of it—dare I say it, perhaps far too much.

However, it is with pleasure that, along with the member for McMillan (Mr Broadbent), I was involved in organising the display of stationery manufactured by Australian Paper. This display was held to draw the attention of members and senators to the quality products available in this country.

I must confess to a little self-interest here. As the member for Gilmore, I was proud that those involved in the display were workers from my own electorate, specifically from Nowra. Not only are they workers from the mill but they also play a role in its marketing and have an excellent rapport with the management. Much of the stationery which was on display is manufactured from recycled fibre. I was very proud indeed to have promoted a range of quality products that would allow us as members, and those in Senate, to purchase Australian made paper that will generate economic growth with due regard for the environment.

I would like to outline a little about the display and the environmental advantages of the products that were on display. The display of Australian made paper took place today in a Senate committee room, and it provided a comprehensive range of office paper, including copy paper with 80 per cent and 100 per cent recycled content.

Indeed, I would like to outline more fully the environmental significance of the paper available. There has been some debate about pre-consumer wastepaper and post-consumer wastepaper. An important fact to remember is that wastepaper is paper that has been removed from its point of production for a subsequent use. It has either been used or been the residual of a further process, like cut-offs from printing, or rejected as unsatisfactory for quality deficiencies.

If such paper is not returned to a paper making plant for recycling, it must be disposed of as garbage, such as burning or putting it into landfill. As a result, recycled paper is paper made from wastepaper that would otherwise have been rubbish. It is therefore truly recycled waste.

I would like to draw the attention of members of the House and the Senate to the possibility that they, like me, were unknowingly using imported paper when they would have preferred to use a quality Australian product. Naturally, I am not about to advocate the use of inferior product simply because it is Australian, but in the case of the display I urged politicians from all persuasions to look at the Australian product and to make their own judgment. To use a hackneyed cliche, we need to put our money where our mouth is when buying our own products when and where they are available.

I know politicians from all sides have serious concerns about regional unemployment and depressed economies in these areas. If we can make even the slightest contribution to our local economies, then as politicians we must endeavour to do so. I have therefore decided to use Australian paper because of its quality, environmental sensitivity and general competitiveness. I would hazard a guess that the majority of parliamentarians who attended the display today will choose to do so as well, particularly after speaking with the actual workers who made the paper.

Mr SPEAKER —Order! It being 8 p.m., the debate is interrupted.