4 September 2014

Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) today welcomed the announced senate inquiry into current and future raw sugar marketing arrangements in Australia.

QSL CEO Greg Beashel thanked Queensland Nationals Senator Barry O’Sullivan and New South Wales Nationals Senator John Williams who instigated the inquiry which passed through the Senate today.

“We thank Senator O’Sullivan and Senator Williams for their interest in this important matter which will affect the future of the Queensland sugar industry and welcome the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee inquiry,” Mr Beashel said.

“We acknowledge the report timeframe of 27 November 2014 and hope that an outcome can be achieved that provides a sustainable and prosperous future for the entire Queensland sugar industry.

“QSL’s role is to serve the interests of both millers and growers for the long-term benefit of the entire Queensland sugar industry.

“Growers’ economic interest over sugar has long been recognised and respected by QSL and after many decades this is being threatened by millers who have decided to implement their own marketing arrangements.

“We have been quite vocal on our stance behind a grower choice model which we believe would provide true competition, encourage innovation and deliver the fairest outcome for all parties; growers and millers. This would allow growers the opportunity to choose between their mill or QSL to market grower economic interest sugar and is something growers are calling for. However, the millers who have left the system have, to-date, not provided this choice to their growers.”

QSL will support both the Senate inquiry and the State Government’s investigation and will continue to work with the rest of the Queensland industry to explore commercial and sustainable solutions for all involved so that the industry has a strong and viable future.