Ethanol production part of Australian political push

A political party in Australia considers ethanol production as the key to reinvigorating a region in Queensland.

Ray Sawyer, federal election candidate of the Katter Australia Party, reveals he has feedback from locals in Nambour that directly links problems to the closure of the town’s sugar mill 10 years ago.

‘We have a sound resolve to reinstating the sugar production industry by using sugar as the raw resource to produce ethanol. Ethanol production using sugar will create jobs and reduce fuel costs, which help will the hip pocket of everyone,’ Sawyer was quoted as saying.

The reasons given for the mill’s closure by its owner Bundaberg Sugar at the time fell upon a poor 2003 harvest, growing competition from Brazil and falling world prices.