Senator Joyce and the Nationals’ stance on renewable energy gained further credibility yesterday after the announcement of an energy security pact adopted at the East Asia Summit in Cebu, Philippines by leaders from all the ASEAN countries, as well as those of China, Japan, South Korea, India and New Zealand.
The document calls on the East Asian member-states to expand the production and utilisation of biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. It also calls on the members to work towards freeing trade on biofuels and implementing standards on biofuels used in engines and motor vehicles.
“I welcome with open arms this announcement; what a great way to start 2007.” Senator Joyce said.

“My Nationals colleagues and I have lobbied hard for a 10 percent mandate on ethanol and our position has been given a stamp of approval by the East Asia Summit.

“If we don’t determine our future fuel requirements with bio-renewable mandated ethanol as a starting position the price of fuel will become inaccessible for many people.

“We could all be the beneficiaries of a renewable fuels industry in Australia. Such an industry would certainly provide increased competition in fuel market and a reduction in bowser prices.”