Bob Katter (Kennedy, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Is the Prime Minister aware that in An Inconvenient Truth Al Gore quotes as his first solution to reducing CO emissions ethanol—a 29 per cent reduction? Further, is the Prime Minister aware that the report from Argonne National Laboratory in Washington states that every tonne of petrol replaced by sugarcane ethanol reduces CO by 2.6 tonnes? In light of this, can the Prime Minister advise the House that his national water scheme will incorporate North Queensland, which, with 50 per cent of Australia’s water, can afford the five per cent of this necessary to grow the sugar cane providing 100 per cent of Australia’s petrol and eight per cent of its electricity? Finally, since at current irrigation prices diversion schemes—even Bradfield’s—may well be attractive, could he assure the House that these schemes will be seriously considered? If not, would he consider removing ‘We’ve boundless plains to share with golden soil and wealth for toil’ from the national anthem?

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