Your vote can secure our sugar terminals

In a show of absolute grower solidarity, this call-to-action is backed by CANEGROWERS Queensland and fellow grower collectives QCAR, the Australian Cane Farmers Association, AgForce Cane, and Kalamia Cane Growers. Collectively these organisations represent over 90% of growers in the sugarcane industry.

“The growing sector is united in demanding a strong voice for growers when it comes to the future of our critical sugar terminal assets,” CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said.

Mr Menkens urged shareholders not to waste their vote, saying it was vital the STL Board included a grower-director with the knowledge, experience and passion to fearlessly understand grower interests.

“With 85% of Australia’s sugar production destined for export, our bulk sugar terminals are vital to maintaining our competitive edge in the global market,” Mr Menkens said.

“These terminals, which were two-thirds funded by growers, are essential to our industry’s ability to deliver a reliable, cost-effective supply of high-quality sugar.

“We need grower-directors who will fiercely guard these critical assets in the interests of our industry.”

EXPERIENCED GROWER LEADERHSIP NEEDED

The grower representative groups agree the industry needs grower directors who are experienced at the Board level, understand the breadth and diversity of the industry in Australia, and know just how important these industry assets are on the world stage.

The groups have acknowledged the commitment shown by both grower candidates putting themselves forward for election.

As leaders themselves, they know what it takes and know how much courage is needed to put yourself up for consideration for any leadership role. It is to be respected.

Industry grower leaders have urged their fellow G-class shareholders to get organised and use their vote to ensure the Board of STL becomes representative of the industry that created these assets.

With these facts in mind the grower organisations have thrown their full support behind Paul Schembri, a proven advocate with nearly 40 years of unwavering service to Queensland cane growers.

Whether shareholders attend the AGM in person or send a proxy, their votes must reach Link Market Services in Sydney by 2pm Monday 18 November.

Don Murday, Chairman ACFA

Chairman of ACFA Don Murday said STL G-class shareholders should cast off complacency and take immediate action to have their say via vote or proxy to ensure all Australian sugarcane businesses are represented at the highest level following the upcoming Sugar Terminals Limited (STL) AGM and G-class director election.

“The right time to consider the future direction of STL is right now,” Mr Murday said.

“Industry collectives are doing everything they can to ensure the right person ends up on the STL Board with the professional experience to positively and pro-actively represent the growing sector – now it is up to each and every one of you (shareholders) to make this happen.”

Christian Lago, Chairman QCAR

Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables (QCAR) Chairman Christian Lago is urging all growers to seriously the consider what the future may look like without the right representation in the role of G-class Director on the STL Board.

“We’ve got recent history to show us how the broader Australian sugarcane industry is being considered, and we don’t like it – note, the recent announcement to terminate the Operating Agreement with industry-owned Queensland Sugar Limited with not a skerrick of consultation,” Mr Lago said.

“This is not the way forward and we absolutely stand against every plan that will result in our terminals passing into the hands of an unregulated monopoly asset owner/operator.”

Robert Malaponte, Chairman Kalamia Cane Growers Organisation Ltd

Chairman of KCGOL Robert Malaponte said KCGOL was throwing its support behind a united call to all growers to not only recognise the significance of the upcoming STL AGM and opportunity to voice their choice in STL matters, specifically in the election of an STL G-class Grower Director.

“We’ve shown how we as a collective are going to vote for the protection and sustainability of these multi-billion-dollar assets, our multi-billion-dollar assets, and we are urging all G-class shareholders to do the same.“

About the candidates:

Paul Schembri

Paul has devoted over four decades to advocating for the sugarcane industry. First joining his local growers’ committee at 23, he rose to become one of Australia’s longest-serving farm leaders, earning respect across the national and international sugar community. As CANEGROWERS Chairman for 10 years, Paul has defended grower interests tirelessly, ensuring growers’ voices are heard at every level. Paul's collaborative leadership led the successful push for grower choice in marketing and the industry code of conduct, both of which are crucial safeguards that protect growers to this day

Troy Apps

A fourth-generation sugarcane farmer, Troy has deep roots in the industry dating back to the early 1900s on Maroochy River on the Sunshine Coast. After starting as a fitter and turner at the Moreton Sugar Mill, he took over the family farm in 2011, advocating passionately for local growers. Notable achievements include inventing the world’s first round bale accumulator system and pioneering efforts to sustain sugarcane production in the Sunshine Coast region following the mill’s closure. With experience in diverse business ventures, Troy aims to bring strong stewardship to the STL board, prioritising terminal maintenance and profitability.