Sugar Industry

I was joined by Shadow Minister for Water and Regional Development, Deb Frecklington, and Shadow Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Sam O’Connor, in the Whitsunday electorate this week.

We met with Canegrowers Proserpine to discuss water and electricity prices, as well as the pressures that reef regulations are having on the ability of local growers to be productive and grow crops.

The Queensland Government’s water discounts mean fruit and vegetable growers are getting 50% off water, whilst other farmers only receive 15%.

Farmers in the Whitsunday electorate will be paying more for their water from 1 July, although the Government’s election promise was to make the scheme fairer.

 The LNP recognises that to increase production, growers need certainty around water and electricity prices.

The sugar industry within the Whitsunday electorate provides $598 million to the local economy and represents 3,218 jobs.

The Queensland Government needs to uphold their election promise to make water cheaper for farmers.