Call to put growers first in sugar code of conduct

(above) Government to keep the current code of conduct in place.

The move threatens to become a live election issue in a raft of marginal LNP-held seats in north Queensland, which are at the centre of Australia’s sugar industry and which are being targeted by both One Nation and Labor.

Ms Hanson said the Government had ignored the concerns of the industry and was planning to go ahead with changes that would leave “growers with limited arbitration powers”.

She said the planned changes would have also stopped canegrowers having a say over byproducts including bio-fuels and bioplastics.

Labor has previously criticised the code of conduct and could change it if it wins the election.

THE Federal Government is preparing to keep rules that make it easier for canegrowers to enforce contracts with sugar mills amid a backlash from farmers in key marginal seats in north Queensland.Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the Government would “weigh up what is best for growers in the coming week” after facing requests to keep the current sugar code of conduct in place.The move comes after a review of the code last year left open the possibility of future changes that could make it easier for canegrowers to be locked out of price decisions by large multinational sugar mill owners.One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson and the chair of Canegrowers Queensland Paul Schembri have both lobbied the