Newsroom
Home Grown Fuel Security Opportunity Still Untapped: Katter
March 10, 2026
It’s mind-blowing to know we can grow our own fuel, ethanol, with sugar cane and grain, yet we are told to helplessly brace for skyrocketing fuel prices because of the Middle East war, the Leader of the Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) and state Member for Traeger Robbie Katter has said.
In his now 14 years in the Queensland Parliament Mr Katter has fervently pushed for ethanol mandates and incentives to drive the industry and build capacity to produce Australian grown and manufactured fuel.
“More than 20 speeches in parliament, some 40 or more media articles, and a 4% mandate that the KAP forced through Queensland parliament, but still no government is taking this opportunity seriously,” Mr Katter said.“The enforcement of the Queensland mandate is a joke!
“The KAP have championed the ethanol industry because it contributes to national fuel security, drives demand for our farmers’ products, and will bring new industry to rural towns across Queensland.
“We need an immediate, strong mandate to have ethanol in all fuel, and for our government institutions such as defence to send a real, genuine signal to our farmers and processors that Australia needs a serious ethanol industry – not just a niche side project,” the KAP leader said.
Brazil have long been the leaders in harnessing their ability to grow feedstock plants for ethanol. As of August 2025, Brazil now has an E30 mandate, requiring 30% of petrol to contain ethanol.
“We see Brazil streets ahead of the pack, with the US and Europe also enforcing mandates, Australia is badly lagging,” Mr Katter said.
“Last year Australia consumed approximately 16 billion litres of petrol and 33 billion litres of diesel, 90% of it imported. A serious ethanol industry would reduce our reliance on imported fuel, giving us back some confidence with more domestic supply.
“Our collective governments’ inaction is coming home to roost. We only have two refineries left in the country, because bean counters reckon it’s smart to offshore to ‘cheaper’ production, and we have an agriculture and ethanol industry desperate for demand.
“The Queensland Resources Minister is trying to say new exploration permits will save us from $3 per litre fuel in parliament. Please! Meaningful results will be years away.
“Our current ethanol facilities are only running at 40% capacity and can ramp up if there was a mandate to grow our own fuel. More facilities would be incentivised to be built into existing infrastructure with a real mandate too.
“Federally the Government announced a $1.1 Billion package for biofuels with no action to date. What a great opportunity to use this fund to have growers and manufacturers both benefiting and contributing to a new industry.
“For the sake of our sovereignty, and our ability to fuel our country, we need a nationwide, enforceable, ethanol mandate now,” the KAP leader said.