COMMENT Federal Election chairman CANEGROWERS Mackay, Kevin Borg ON September 7, all Australians will be asked to make a choice

e and vote for the political party they want to govern this country. As primary producers, a major part of the Australian economy, we too are entitled, and eager, to have our say to influence favourable outcomes for our sugar industry, and indeed all of agriculture, in the upcoming election. CANEGROWERS Mackay represents growers in the two electorates of Capricornia and Dawson. Because Dawson representation is based in Mackay it is easier to lobby to the local member, who has a familiarity with our industry due to location. Capricornia, being based in Rockhampton, is a little further removed from our industry despite the fact that the sugar industry makes up quite a sizeable part of his/her electorate. And this is just one of the reasons CANEGROWERS, as part of its broader election strategy, is going public with a series of strong messages to candidates in its pre-election campaign. The sugar industry is well on its way to re-invigoration as it undertakes an expansion that will see it continue to play an ever increasing role as an integral part of the Australian economy. The Australian government, regardless of which side of politics is at the helm, must take this opportunity to amplify the economic and social benefits of the revival of the Australian sugar industry by removing the barriers to industry growth and development. CANEGROWERS, which represents 80 per cent of Australias sugar cane growers, recently released a hard hitting list of issues and required actions that the government must address to rebuild the strength of the Australian sugar industry. At the core of the CANEGROWERS advocacy position is the campaigns five is. 1. Introduce measures: To reduce cost of production through dealing with the increasing price of electricity, and maintaining the fuel tax credit system 2. Invest: In world-leading efficiency through increasing funding of the successful Reef Rescue project from $10M to $15M over 5 years, and also increasing support for the implementation of a Best Management Practice (BMP) for the industry to the tune of $8m over the next 4 years 3. Improve: Trade access to export markets by recognizing that the industry, which exports 80 per cent of its product without any subsidy or support scheme in place, by including Australia in key trade agreements such as the Australia / Korea FTA and the Australia / Japan Transpacific Partnership 4. Increase: Research and development (R&D) by increasing Government expenditure to Australian sugar R&D by one per cent of gross product value so that SRA is enhanced to the extent that it picks up the R&D gap that has occurred over the past 10 years, and have our industry increase its competitiveness with its overseas competitors 5. Introduce: An improved regulatory process for chemicals by reviewing the process of reviewing chemicals through the APVMA (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority). Introduce

a component of economic and social considerations rather than the ad hoc process they have taken in the past relying on emotion and floored science. The introduction of a scheme similar to the AMA (Australian Medical Association) would see the industry move to newer environmentally friendly (but more expensive) chemicals more rapidly.

CANEGROWERS Mackay is lending its support in unity with CANEGROWERS Queensland and will be campaigning wholeheartedly in the lead up to the September 7 election. We will ensure our members are receiving effective and united representation in the pursuit of a profitable and sustainable sugar industry for all cane growers and indeed all Australians. KEVIN BORG, Chairman CANEGROWERS Mackay.