Pyne to give LNP support on sugar

INDEPENDENT MP Rob Pyne is throwing his support behind an LNP Bill that would force sugarmill company Wilmar to reach an agreement over farmers’ right to choose how their product is marketed.

The LNP gave Wilmar, which operates eight mills between Mackay and Macknade, near Ingham, until today’s sitting of Parliament to reach an agreement with marketer Queensland Sugar Limited.

It failed to do so with QSL managing director Greg Beasel yesterday issuing an industry update claiming Wilmar had cancelled planned talks 45 minutes before they were scheduled to begin.

“We are obviously disappointed that Wilmar does not think this issue warrants priority on their calendar to progress in a meaningful way,” he said.

The LNP is expected to introduce the Sugar Industry Act today, compelling Singaporeowned Wilmar to go to arbitration on the impasse.

Other sugarmill companies, including MSF Sugar in the Far North, have managed to come to agreements already.

“One of the reasons I left the Labor Party on reflection is having to vote against the Sugar Act amendment in 2015 along with the party-line and against the interest of local canegrowers in my region,” Mr Pyne said.

“This is one of the few times I will vote with the LNP to back canegrowers’ livelihoods against … a multinational.”

The fight coincides with the Australian sugar industry reaching a tariff agreement with Indonesia, putting exports on a more level playing field with competitors.

“Reducing the tariff on Australian sugar to 5 per cent will make our product more attractive to Indonesian food manufacturers and refiners,” said Australian Sugar Industry Alliance spokesman Paul Schembri.