Policy, plans and legislation are the foundation stones but they must be built upon through speedy and effective implementation. We must give practical effect to the waste hierarchy and ensure that waste management plans are implemented in a timely and comprehensive way and that the law on waste is fully and effectively enforced. Since taking office the Government has focused on implementation and I am happy to indicate to Senators that significant progress is being made. Much of what we hear about waste revolves around thermal treatment and landfill, but there is also significant activity at the upper end of the hierarchy including waste prevention, minimisation and recycling.