14 June 2011: Disaster budget underwhelms: CANEGROWERS


Peak sugarcane group CANEGROWERS has said that, as one of the industries which bore the brunt of floods, cyclone, and more floods, the Queensland Government has showed a fair hand; but as far as driving visionary policies to lead the State into a future-focussed economy, this year’s Budget fell short of the mark for rural Australia.


Disaster recovery

Commitment to disaster recovery headlined this year’s state budget, and announcements of restoration of the Bruce Highway ($80M) and cyclone shelters in vulnerable communities ($30M) were embraced by the sugarcane industry.

According to today’s budget, the Queensland Government bill for Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) is expected to be about $1.8 billion, with the Australian Government funding the remainder up to 75%.

CANEGROWERS welcomed the abolition of the ambulance levy, which had been hammering farmers with multiple electricity accounts. “This practical move will help with the cost of living, which is especially important in this time of disaster recovery,” says Ron Mullins, Acting CEO of CANEGROWERS.


Research

CANEGROWERS welcomed the continuation of current funding to sugar research group BSES Limited. The sugar industry itself has been a significant contributor to its own research over the years. CANEGROWERS also noted the commitment to biosecurity spending; saying it was pleasing to see this acknowledgement by the Queensland Government of its ongoing obligations in this area.


Energy

CANEGROWERS says that potentially one of the biggest ticket items, energy from sugarcane, was not given the attention it deserved. While more funds have been directed to solar energy and geothermal, CANEGROWERS says the moves did not go nearly far enough.

“CANEGROWERS believes government is ignoring the renewable resource under its nose – bagasse from sugarcane has the potential to supply a large proportion of Queensland’s renewable energy,” he says.

“Sugar is just one potential product from a stalk of cane. There is so much potential in this space and CANEGROWERS would like to explore ways we can partner with the Queensland Government to achieve its Smart State objectives using sugarcane – a 21st century crop,” says Mr Mullins.



Media comment: Ron Mullins | CANEGROWERS Acting CEO | 0417 790 156
More information: Suzi Moore | CANEGROWERS Communications | 0427 641 239 or 07 3864 6444