The LNP has fought to strengthen the Queensland sugar industry with the release of a new draft bill.
Local Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett welcomed the new proposed Sugar Industry (Facilitating Grower Choice) Amendment Bill 2015, and commended Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Deb Frecklington for working closely with producers, millers and 
other key stakeholders to shape the bill.
“We recognise the industry needs to move forward in a co-operative environment, while making de-regulation work in a co-operative environment, and we believe this bill goes a long way to achieving this,” Mr Bennett said.
“The LNP has worked hard to find a workable solution which preserves the interests of canegrowers in raw sugar, without imposing a transfer of ownership which is a concern of the millers.”
Ms Frecklington and Mr Bennett encouraged the local Bundaberg and Burnett community to have its say on the proposed bill.
“The LNP has always recognised the value of the sugar industry to the state’s economy and we would like Queenslanders to consider this reform to help strengthen this vital industry,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government has neglected the industry, for which it has no plan, but the LNP has been proactive in investigating the sugar marketing issue and find an appropriate solution.
“This exposure draft aims to achieve a workable solution to the sugar monopoly threatening regional growers by preserving their interests, but without imposing a transfer of ownership, strengthening the rights and futures of cane farmers.”
Ms Frecklington said, in contrast to the Katter Bill currently before the Parliament, the LNP Bill achieved the following:
1. Avoided ex-appropriation of property rights which was a concern to sugar millers;
2. Maintained a reference to Cane Supply Agreements where grower economic interest was to be recognised;
3. Did not provide for pre-contractual arbitration, but rather included a mechanism for dispute resolution if required.
4. Allowed growers the choice of who markets their sugar through the Cane Supply agreement.
“The content of the Bill has benefited from the consultation that occurred as part of the Senate Inquiry and the work of the Sugar Marketing Taskforce,” she said.
The draft Sugar Industry (Facilitating Grower Choice) Amendment Bill 2015 can be found at www.debfrecklington.com.au before 4 September 2015.
[ENDS] 19 August 2015 Media Contact: 07 4111 5100