Premier recognised with national Bioenergy Award for bio leadership

17 October, 2018

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is the inaugural recipient of the Bioenergy Government Leadership Award, presented by Bioenergy Australia in recognition of the Palaszczuk Government’s development of the bioeconomic sector.

The Premier was nominated by the Bioenergy Australia Chair Paul McCartney and was recognised at the Bioenergy Innovation Awards in Brisbane this evening.

The citation from Bioenergy Australia, the peak organisation for the development of the bio sector, said the Premier’s ‘commitment to Australia’s bioeconomy is paving the way for Australia and our states’.

Ms Palaszczuk thanked Bioenergy Australia and dedicated the award to everyone involved in Queensland’s bio sector.

"This recognition emphasises how much great work we’re doing to develop a more sustainable economy and environment across the State, throughout Australia and around the world,” the Premier said.

“We’re a proactive Government pushing the boundaries, which is why we support the development and use of sustainable aviation fuel which Virgin Airlines will blend into their fuel stock at Brisbane Airport.

“My Government’s $20 million Queensland Biofutures Roadmap and Action Plan, part of our $650 million Advance Queensland initiative, is at the heart of our plans and informs our vision for the future.

“By 2026, we want Queensland to have a $1 billion sustainable and export-oriented biotechnology and bioproducts sector, and we want this to attract significant international investment to create regional, high-value and knowledge-intensive jobs.

“Our Biofutures Roadmap ensures we leverage our natural and strategic advantages to strengthen our place at the top table of the bioenergy sector.”

Programs implemented include:

• $100 million Resource Recovery Industry Development Program supporting recycling
• $5 million Biofutures Waste to Bioenergy Fund developing waste-to-energy technologies
• $5 million Biofutures Commercialisation Program to attract innovative new technologies
• $5 million Biofutures Industry Development Fund supporting large projects to reach maturity, and
• $4 million Biofutures Acceleration Program fast-tracking the development of new biorefinery projects.

“Our highly-productive agricultural industry produces large quantities of potential non-food feedstocks required for the bioproducts sector,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“My Government’s initiatives are opening up opportunities across the bioenergy industry to ensure a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable environment,” she said.

“I also warmly congratulate the other award winners.”

2018 Bioenergy Innovation Awards winners:   

• Bioenergy Government Leadership Award: Premier of Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk MP
• Bioenergy Innovation Award – Large Scale: Biogass Renewables Pty Ltd
• Bioenergy Innovation Award – Small Scale: Dragon Energy Pty Ltd
• Bioenergy Community Leadership Award: Pyrenees Shire Council
• Bioenergy Research Leadership Award: Australian Biomass for Bioenergy Assessment Team

For more information about the Queensland Government’s Biofutures Roadmap, visit www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/biofutures

       Media Contact: Premier’s office – Chris O’Brien 0419 774 004