NQ sugar jobs worth fighting for

8 AUGUST 2015: AS FAR as North Queensland is concerned, sugar in the deal-breaker in negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Trade Minister Andrew Robb left negotiations in Hawaii without a deal on the weekend and without sugar on the table that’s a good thing. I drew a line in the sand last week, publicly declaring I would not vote for a TPP deal that did not offer significant gains for the Queensland sugar industry. I was joined in that stance by five other Nationals MPs and Senators. As representatives from the sugar-producing regions, we are adamant sugar cannot be left out of current Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations and we are not prepared to accept any token deal. Sugar has been left out of many free trade agreements – notably the recent Free Trade Agreement with China and the 2005 agreement with the United States, which gave no significant quota to Australian sugar. In the 10 years since the last agreement, the United States has increased the sugar import quota for many other countries. If the United States were taking the TPP seriously, they would offer a serious increase to Australia’s quota.Supporting Nationals MPs and Senators include Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry, Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd, Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt, and Senator Matt Canavan. We issued a joint statement last week saying they could not support a TPP agreement without significant gains for sugar. If the Australian sugar industry does not receive a substantial improvement in market access under the TPP, we cannot support a deal. We could not in good conscience give support to enabling legislation for the TPP if it ignores one of the most important industries in our state.A better deal for sugar is in the best interests of both countries. Restrictions on sugar imports push up domestic sugar prices in the US, at times to nearly double the world price. This has cost American consumers and businesses about $15 billion since 2008 in artificially inflated prices. As the world’s third largest raw sugar exporter, the Australian Government has a significant interest in ensuring there is free and reasonable market access to our most significant trading partners, especially the United States.The Australian cane growing industry supports more than 4000 families, mostly across Queensland, with countless communities reliant on the economic strength of the sector for business growth, jobs and prosperity. It is our job to fight for these farming families and communities to ensure that they get a fair return for the hard work they do to produce food for the world. We need a good deal for Australian sugar so it’s a good deal for regional towns and regional jobs.We now call on the Australian and United States Governments to use these TPP negotiations to increase market access for sugar. For the intentions and merits of the TPP to be truly realised, all governments must commit to free and fair trade that enabled commodities and products to enter the global marketplace and compete on their own merits.