BREAKING NEWS: LNP opposition leader Tim Nicholls says the 48-hour deadline for sugar milling company Wilmar Sugar Australia and marketing company Queensland Sugar Limited (QSL) has passed without agreement being reached.
The Queensland opposition had given Wilmar and QSL until Thursday afternoon to guarantee the parties would conclude negotiations on grower supply contracts before the end of the month.
“This is extremely disappointing. I continue to urge both parties to come to an agreement by 28 February, 2017,” Mr Nicholls said in a statement at 6.44pm.
“The LNP is determined to ensure that canegrowers in the Burdekin, Herbert and Central regions have contracts offering genuine choice in marketing.”
Mr Nicholls said because no agreement had been reached the LNP would bring amendments to the Sugar Industry Act to the next sitting of State Parliament on February 28.
The Queensland opposition has the backing of sugar marketer QSL and farm group CANEGROWERS. The position taken be Singaporian-owned Wilmar is supported by the Palaszczuk government and the Australian Sugar Milling Council.
“The amendments will enforce mandatory arbitration when negotiations breakdown and there is a stalemate between parties,” Mr Nicholls said.
“We have already instructed parliamentary counsel.”
Wilmar is the only one of the seven milling companies not to have reached agreement with QSL. However, it is understood that unlike the other milling companies, extraordinary demands have been placed on Wilmar.
Earlier, the Australian Sugar Milling Council accused the LNP of engaging in politics in response to the growing popularity of One Nation, and in doing so, placed the entire sugar industry at risk. CLICK HERE to read that story.
