Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce has welcomed reports British Entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin brand, Sir Richard Branson, has expressed interest in developing ethanol production plants in Queensland.

It was reported Sir Richard is currently constructing some twenty plants in the United States and has already had discussions regarding an expansion into Queensland.

“Sir Richard Branson is a man of foresight. And although I do not offer an endorsement of everything he has done, he does have an innate and proven commercial sense.

“Obviously, Sir Richard feels that we have to start finding an alternative to oil. I wish him the best of luck. He’s going to have to start buying some retail outlets as well, because we’re having trouble trying to get the oil companies to sell our ethanol.

“It is a shame that we are following rather than leading the bio-renewable fuels issue.