Parliamentary Inquiry to unlock sugar industry growth

• Crisafulli Government launches Parliamentary Inquiry into the potential of biofuel and alternative power made from sugar cane.
• Inquiry will seek to unlock new investment and identify regulatory barriers to diversify the industry.
• Sugar cane offers a cost-effective base ingredient to produce bioenergy including aviation fuel, biodiesel and biomethane. 

The potential for bioenergy and value-added sugar production in Queensland will be put under the microscope, with the Primary Industries and Resources Committee launching a new Parliamentary Inquiry into the sector. 

The Committee will examine how to unlock new investment, support value-adding opportunities in the sugar industry, and overcome regulatory barriers that may be holding the sector back. 

The Parliamentary Inquiry aligns with the Crisafulli Government’s ambitious target to grow the value of Queensland’s primary production output to $30 billion by 2030. 

The former Labor Government neglected Queensland’s sugar industry and watched on while other countries pushed ahead with bioenergy. 

Unlike Labor, the Crisafulli Government backs primary producers, and is committed to supporting emerging industries to ensure Queensland’s agriculture sector has a strong future. 

Acting Minister for Primary Industries Dale Last said the Inquiry will examine opportunities to grow Queensland’s agri-economy and create jobs in regional communities. 

“Sugar is our State’s number one agricultural export, contributing $4.4 billion annually to Queensland’s economy and supporting over 20,000 jobs across regional communities,” Acting Minister Last said. 

“Queensland is uniquely positioned with the scale, skills and natural advantage to lead the world in alternative fuels and value-added agriculture. 

“This inquiry will shine a spotlight on the regulatory and legislative barriers to developing a bioenergy industry and identify the levers we can pull to support the sector’s growth. 

“The recommendations from this Inquiry will help guide future policy decisions that support industry diversification and regional growth."

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie said this inquiry will support delivery of the Crisafulli Government’s election commitment to identify opportunities for Queensland’s biofuels industry to expand. 

“The Queensland Government is open for business, and we are focused on creating an environment for growth for biofuels to create more jobs by backing our agricultural industries and supporting sovereign fuel security in Queensland.” 

Canegrowers Chief Executive Dan Galligan welcomed the inquiry and said it will highlight the potential of bioenergy to add to the sugar cane sector’s long-term sustainability. 

“The potential to develop Queensland’s bioenergy sector presents an enormous opportunity for sugar cane growers,” Mr Galligan said. 

“The bioenergy industry has the potential to diversify our already successful sugar sector and fortify rural and regional communities from Far North Queensland to the New South Wales border.”