Just days after Burdekin cane farmers outlined opportunities and expressed concerns about the industry, they have also secured a new ally according to Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP.
As part of an inquiry charged with identifying growth opportunities for the sugar industry, the Queensland parliament’s Primary Industries and Resources Committee heard from both grower groups and growers who are exploring opportunities in Townsville recently.
“This inquiry represents an opportunity for industry growth and finding solutions to problems that are, or could, hold back future growth,” he said. “The majority of the evidence heard in Townsville was from representatives of the Burdekin, and that is fitting given the contribution that the Burdekin makes to the industry.”
“A range of opportunities to grow the industry were presented and, from a wider point of view, there was a genuine consensus that realising those opportunities was about benefits for the wider community as well as the sugar industry itself.”
The form that support takes is also something that the Committee will pay particular attention to because we need a way forward that is reliable, achievable and is advantageous across the industry, rather than just to one part of it.”
“The Committee is accepting written submissions up until October 8th and, following that, the real work commences. What I’d like to see in the Committee report is a thorough breakdown of the pros and cons of each opportunity so decisions can be made both by industry and the government.”
While not a direct result of the inquiry, Mr Last said the announcement of extended funding and expanded responsibilities for the new Queensland Food Farmers’ Commissioner could help make major inroads on at least one ongoing issue.
“It’s no secret that growers and millers often disagree on a range of issues when what is actually needed is cooperation,” Mr Last said. “The changes to the responsibilities of the Food Farmers’ Commissioner means farmers now have a new ally to assist them in securing a fair go from millers.”
“Whereas the previous government had only funded the role for 12 months, the Crisafulli government has guaranteed funding for 3 years. That has been done because we know that, in order to bring our Primary Producer’s Prosper blueprint to life, our primary producers need support, advocacy and someone that has the ear of government when issues cannot be resolved easily.”
“We make no apology for throwing our support primarily behind our farmers and the communities they live in because regional Queensland makes a major contribution to Queensland’s prosperity and the people who live and work in regional Queensland must benefit from that prosperity.”
Photo: Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, meets with representatives of QCAR to discuss sugar industry issues including the recent parliamentary inquiry.
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