Katter’s Australian Party calls Mossman Mill meeting
KATTER’S Australian Party has reaffirmed its position to rescue the Mossman Mill, not settling for a “transitional fund,” rather, a long-term vision to ensure the farmer-owned operation remains viable.
The party for North Queensland alongside Australian Cane Farmers Association is hosting a public meeting in relation to the mill, 10am Friday, June 7 at the Mossman Shire Hall, with KAP candidate for Cook Duane Amos, Hill MP Shane Knuth and Kennedy MP Bob Katter in attendance.
Mr Amos said the initial burning question was how this year’s crop harvest and crushing would be processed but he was also interested in hearing long-term aspirations of the growers towards keeping the local mill operating.
“The background information indicates the mill and crop output has not been large enough to keep it viable and has been for some time so it would have been reasonable for previous discussions to have been focussed on sustainability, future prospects such as the front-end mill proposed by Bob Katter or government assistance earlier to transition existing farms to other crops or perhaps cattle,” Mr Amos said.
“This meeting for me is about listening to the growers and discussions on short term to keep them financially viable whilst a long-term division takes place strategically with all key parties.
“It’s extremely disappointing that the government and current member has not been forefront in representing the community and being the advocate over the years, this didn’t just happen overnight.”
Mr Katter echoed Mr Amos’ concerns for the first priority being addressing this year’s crop and said he would be sharing with the meeting his long-term solution.
“The $12m that’s been announced really should be going towards just keeping that mill going this year,” Mr Katter said.
“And what happens after that is a matter for discussion. I look forward to hearing from the floor but I’ll be backing former president of the Sugar Millers Association Don Watson’s idea of increasing sugar farming at Marylands, a front-end mill and a pipeline down to Mossman to increase the supply going into the mill.
“That then opens up the quantity for byproducts like biofuels and renewable electricity.
“I don’t care if this is not in my electorate. The ALP and LNP aren’t interested in saving it, I pray the KAP win the balance of power at the forthcoming State election and we will not be letting this mill go.”
Mr Knuth who in 2015 successfully passed the Sugar Industry (Real Choice in Marketing) Bill said he always maintained an interest in preserving major industries for North Queensland, despite the mill also not being in his electorate.
Mr Knuth’s Bill at the time helped thousands of cane growing families across the state be provided a choice on who they market their crop with.
“It’s vitally important to sustain an industry that is so beneficial to our region, it doesn't matter it’s not in my electorate,” Mr Knuth said.
