Bob Baldwin (Paterson, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for Batman for his question. We have actually spent $50,278,000, projected for 2006-07, and the budget estimate for the year after that is $63.4 million. The honourable member raises the question about setting mandated targets. The federal government have stated over and over that we do not see that as a position for this government. It should be done by consumer choice driving demand. We do support the development of an ethanol industry, but it is something that should not be forced upon the consumer. If state governments want to regulate in such a way, that is a matter for them.

The federal government is providing financial support, but it is also up to those who are producing the ethanol to explain to motorists, to consumers, the exact benefits, whether they are environmental or economic, to make sure that it is a viable proposition. That is our position on it. It has been well stated in the parliament by the minister. We encourage the industry to grow and develop. I know that my colleague here, the member for Gilmore, has a huge plant, the Manildra plant, in her electorate and has been a very strong advocate for ethanol. Whilst I am sure she would like to see mandated levels, she understands that people should choose this rather than have it forced upon them.

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