The sugar industry has gathered support from across the Queensland Parliament for a new initiative to allow direct contact between Members of Parliament and the industry.
The Parliamentary Friends of Sugar is an initiative of the Australian Sugar Milling Council (ASMC) and it held its inaugural event at Parliament House this week. The Parliamentary Friends of Sugar is co-chaired by Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert and Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett.
ASMC Chief Executive Officer Rachele Sheard said the Parliamentary Friends of Sugar would build on strengthening bi-partisan support for the sugar industry and recognition of its contribution to the economic and social fabric of Queensland.
“Analysis of the sugar industry’s contribution to the Queensland economy has found it contributes $3.8 billion annually and supports around 20,000 full-time equivalent jobs across the State,” Ms Sheard said.
“For many Queensland communities, the sugar industry has been its foundation and continues to underpin local employment and prosperity.”
“The outlook for the sugar industry is strong, but not without challenges. Importantly, the industry has opportunities for diversification into sustainable fuels, co-generation of renewable electricity and new products, as well as sugar.”
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Click here to download a pdf of this media release
Link to the sugar industry economic contribution report commissioned by ASMC
Media contact: Kirby Anderson 0400 206 502