Queensland Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce has expressed support for his Nationals colleague, Senator Fiona Nash, regarding the possibility of legislating for a mandate on ethanol.

“The Nationals have remained resolute regarding the mandating of ethanol and Fiona’s suggestion may just be necessary if we don’t see some action,” Senator Joyce said.

“In fact, the Queensland Nationals have proposed a resolution to be debated at our state conference in July.”

“The resolution calls on our Nationals Federal parliamentarians to raise a Private Members Bill to legislate towards a 10 per cent mandate on ethanol.”

“My Nationals colleagues and I have regularly interacted with interested parties from the petroleum industry and lobbied hard for a 10 per cent mandate. If it can’t be achieved through communication, it may very well be achieved through legislation.”

“I strongly believe the benefits of an Australian ethanol industry are seriously underestimated. We could all be the benefactors of a renewable fuels industry in Australia and such an industry would certainly provide increased competition in fuel market. And, we know what that means to bowser prices.”

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