Pauline Hanson Urges Government to Protect Canegrowers
Media Release
Pauline Hanson has called on the Government to take urgent action to protect Australian canegrowers before the next election.
Senator Hanson has written to the Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud and called on him to expedite a review into the Sugar Industry Code of Conduct and ensure legislation to safeguard cane growing communities is passed by both houses of parliament before the next election.
“I cannot emphasise enough, the importance of expediting this review and ensuing legislation is securely before the parliament before your Government calls the next Federal election. Failure on your Government’s behalf will risk the livelihoods and survival of cane growing communities. I cannot make it any clearer” Senator Hanson wrote.
Senator Hanson’s decision to push for a faster resolution and greater protections for Australian canegrowers comes off the back of a refusal by Queensland’s Labor state government to bring in any protections for canegrowers and their industry.
In refusing to side with Queensland canegrowers and instead backing the interests of overseas multinational corporations, Queensland Labor is putting billions of dollars’ worth of exports and tens of thousands of jobs at risk. This problem would be compounded if a federal Labor Government was elected.
Senator Hanson made it clear to the Government that if they refused to expedite the review and legislation, they would be complicit in any future damages the Australian canegrowers might face.
As the Senator explained to the Minister “Your Government risks a billion dollar industry and the survival of cane growing towns like Maryborough, Bundaberg, Saria, Proserpine, Ayr, Home Hill, Inkerman, Ingham, Tully Mourilyan The South Johnstone and many other just like them.”
Senator Hanson is currently awaiting a response from the Minister but has vowed to pursue the matter further when Parliament resumes in August with the aim of bringing the matter to a swift resolution.
READ THE FULL LETTER BELOW
