The Nationals Senator for Queensland, Barnaby Joyce, today renewed his call for a mandate on ethanol.

“We have seen, once more, an escalation in oil prices due to uncertainties in the Middle East. With Easter just around the corner, families want to go on holidays and the fuel costs associated with this are forever escalating. The environmental debate is front and centre in the current political format. With all these factors in mind, it is imperative we take hold of the issue to mandate ethanol which will alleviate, in part, all of these issues.

“We have a mission saving solution which is as obvious as the nose in the centre of your face. Every other country has seen it. The US has set mandatory fuel standards which require 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels in 2017. The EU is expecting 5.75% of its total fuel market to be renewable by 2010. The East Asian Summit called on its member-states to expand their production and utilisation of bio-fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.

“Is Australia ready to go into a bidding war with countries like China and India for a dwindling finite resource when those countries have a combined population of around 2 billion and we’re a nation of 20 million?

“A great winner for ethanol in this country will be the fact Australia will make money out its production.

“There is nothing more nauseating for the Australian motorist than knowing not only are they currently paying more for their fuel, but the predominant beneficiaries are a British company, a Dutch company and an American Company.

“Cheaper fuel, produced by Australian fuel producers, which saves the environment, promotes Australian jobs, supports Australian farmers and gives Australian business people the opportunity to be part of a new industry which creates new wealth and reduces our trade account deficit should be a lay down misère.

“Ethanol – let's do it.” Senator Joyce said.