Media Release

6 July 2015: KAP Federal Leader and Member for Kennedy Bob Katter MP 30 June 2015: KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter has today called on the QLD Government to implement at 10% mandate in QLD for ethanol.

“Without a 10% mandate there will be no new jobs or industry in regional Queensland. Unless we can get ethanol we simply can’t survive in the longer term.

“The closure of mills are destroying the economy of our homeland. Mourilyan gone, Babinda gone.

“A 10% mandate is not being done to the benefit of private operators; it is being done of the benefit of people in Queensland.

“Any shortfall in capacity from current operators will be filled by smaller plants which will open to fulfil the 10% mandate. These are arguably shovel ready now. Little benefit will accrue to Queensland unless this occurs – creating new jobs and industry in regional Queensland,” Mr Katter said.

Mr Katter’s renewed comments come after his submission to the QLD Government’s ‘Towards a Clean Energy Economy – Achieving a Biofuel Mandate for Queensland’.

Mr Katter’s submission focuses on two sections (1) the case for ethanol - public health, for fuel security, cheaper fuel for consumers, for industry development and for the environment; and (2) mandating ethanol.

Mr Katter is calling for a scaled up ethanol mandate with 5% by 1 July 2016 and 10% by 1 July 2017.

“Ethanol is critical for our survival in the sugar industry.

“The value of our currency and the dollar plus massive direct subsidies in America and Europe make it impossible to compete.

“The Brazilians, if you take the price of petrol back to the farm gate (or mill gate) have been getting $420 per tonne. We get $340 per tonne.

“Vast bulk of the Brazilian cane goes to the ethanol stream, while ours goes to the sugar stream. The Brazilians are cross subsidized,” Mr Katter said.

Mr Katter attended the public ethanol meetings in Mareeba, Innisfail, Ingham, Townsville and Brisbane.

Mr Katter’s submission can be viewed here: http://www.bobkatter.com.au/page/attachment/24/150703-qld-government-ethanol-submission-website-version

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