New leadership, new opportunities - CANEGROWERS welcomes Premier Crisafulli 

Premier Crisafulli, who grew up in a cane farming family in Ingham, understands the challenges and opportunities facing Queensland’s sugarcane industry, and will have growers’ best interests at heart, CANEGROWERS CEO Dan Galligan said.

“Congratulations to David and the LNP team. We’re excited to work closely with the new Premier to advance the sugarcane sector, an industry I know is close to his heart,” Mr Galligan said.

The Crisafulli family’s long-standing connection to the industry underscores the Premier’s deep knowledge and positions him well to drive growth and innovation.

Mr Galligan emphasised key issues needing urgent attention, including cutting input costs, reducing regulations, and developing a domestic biofuels industry.

“We have had a very close working relationship with Mr Crisafulli and his team while in opposition and we are eager to work with them in government to deliver on their election commitments of a $30M industry innovation fund, a $50M increase in biosecurity funding, and a $12M package to support the Mossman sugarcane industry in particular.”

"Our industry has bright future, and we need to work on on reducing high water and electricity prices, which limit productivity and profitability. Addressing these costs is vital for regional economies and the international competitiveness of our industry,” Mr Galligan said.

“Reducing red tape will also foster innovation, enabling the sugarcane sector to thrive. But for this to work we need a tailored, locally driven approach to environmental outcomes, with grower input. This is essential for balancing environmental and growth goals.”

Developing a biofuels industry, with sugarcane as a primary feedstock, is also a top priority, Mr Galligan said.

“Queensland has the potential to be a bioenergy powerhouse. There’s real opportunity to establish a biofuels sector that supports sustainable aviation fuels, biodiesel, and other renewables.

“This new industry will complement our expanding domestic and export sugar supply chains, while also enabling industry diversification that will benefit growers, not to mention creating jobs and prosperity in our regions.

“With Premier Crisafulli’s commitment to advancing Queensland and his background in sugarcane, we’re confident of meaningful progress towards a stronger, more sustainable future for our industry and regional communities,” Mr Galligan said.