CANEGROWERS MEDIA RELEASE

25 January 2012: Actions to rebuild regional Queensland: CANEGROWERS outlines election priorities

CANEGROWERS is challenging sugarcane growers and their local communities, to consider a list of election priorities and ask where their local candidate stands.

Peak sugarcane group, CANEGROWERS, today released a hard-hitting list of
actions it says government must address, to rebuild regional Queensland -
a re-awakening economic powerhouse.

With a Queensland State election called for 24 March, CANEGROWERS has put together a robust advocacy agenda outlining how the government can play a strong role in rebuilding the strength of its second largest export commodity, sugarcane, and the strength of regional Queensland.

CANEGROWERS CEO, Steve Greenwood said today that at the core of its advocacy position, are what it calls
‘The six R’s for rebuilding the strength of rural Queensland’:
1. Reinvest: in research and development
2. Remove inefficient government costs: water and electricity
3. Reduce green tape: accelerate innovation
4. Reinvigorate plans for: growth
5. Retain and enhance: biosecurity measures
6. Rebuild and reskill: workforce

Greenwood says the Queensland sugar industry is undergoing an extensive resurgence, with large international corporations investing billions in sugar mills, and increasing land under cane.

“World sugar prices are at all-time highs and sugar demand is increasing with the world’s rapidly growing population,” says Greenwood. “The Queensland sugar industry is again moving to affirm its status as an economic powerhouse of regional coastal Queensland.

“The Queensland Government – regardless of which side of politics is at the helm – must take this opportunity to amplify the economic and social benefits of this revival by removing the barriers to sugar industry growth and development,” says Greenwood, who confirmed today that CANEGROWERS has circulated its election priorities broadly.

 Click here to download CANEGROWERS full State Election 2012 Advocacy Brochure (370KB)

Media comment: Steve Greenwood | CANEGROWERS CEO | 0488 721 156
More information: Suzi Moore | CANEGROWERS Communications | 0427 641 239 or 07 3864 6444

Background information on Australia’s sugarcane industry

• CANEGROWERS is the peak group for Australia’s sugarcane growers. 
• Australia’s sugarcane industry is recognised as one of the most clean, green and progressive in the world
• $1.5 - $2.5 billion value of production | 80% exported | 2nd largest agricultural exporter in Queensland (7th in Australia) | 3rd largest raw sugar supplier in world | 32-35 Mt cane | 4.5-5 Mt sugar | 4000 cane farm businesses | 24 sugar mills | 6 bulk storage ports | Tweet us @CANEGROWERS
  Media comment: Steve Greenwood | CANEGROWERS CEO | 0488 721 156
  More information: Suzi Moore | CANEGROWERS Communications | 0427 641 239 or 07 3864 6444