The LNP has brought its fight for Queensland canegrowers’ rights closer to State Parliament with the release of a draft bill to boost the state’s sugar industry.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Deb Frecklington said the LNP had worked closely with producers, millers and other key stakeholders and encouraged the wider community to have its say on the proposed Sugar Industry (Facilitating Grower Choice) Amendment Bill 2015.
“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:
Avoided ex-appropriation of property rights which was a concern to sugar millers;Maintained a reference to Cane Supply Agreements where grower economic interest was to be recognised;Did not provide for pre-contractual arbitration, but rather included a mechanism for dispute resolution if required.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.
Photo: Releasing the draft with the Chairman of Canegrowers, Paul Schembri, at Greg Plath's cane farm, Te Kowai near Mackay
