Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington says she is pleased the State Government supported an ethanol mandate this week in Parliament.
Mrs Frecklington said the Opposition had brought to a head plans to establish a renewable fuels industry in Queensland and the result of the parliamentary debate puts to an end “years of indecision and broken promises from Labor”.
“It is an issue that has been widely debated for years, but under previous Labor governments had been put on the back burner,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“This decision is a practical way to help stimulate regional economic development. It is a win for jobs across Queensland and this will have a flow on effect here in our region.
“It is also a win for the environment and another example of the LNP getting the balance right.
“Creating an alternative and stable market for grain, cane and other feed-stocks will help diversify markets for our rural industries.
“It also stimulates employment growth in our regional communities – something this current Labor Government is struggling to achieve.”
The Liberal National Party put forward a motion on Wednesday night calling for the formation of an implementation board to consult stakeholders and consumers, determine preferred ethanol levels for fuel and set time frames for its introduction.
This was supported by both sides of Parliament but Labor moved amendments, seeking a broader approach to bio-fuels and to acknowledge the fact the ALP already had been planning to introduce a Bill before the LNP motion.
These amendments were approved on the casting vote of the Speaker, Independent MP Peter Wellington.
A motion by the Katter Party that the ethanol mandated level be set at 10 per cent was defeated.
The RACQ said today it supported a 2 per cent mandate, growing to 3 per cent by 2020.
