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Response to Cairns News story on Cane Growers

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UPDATE: Cairns News has now taken down this story. The Office of Senator Roberts appreciates Cairns News’ commitment to accuracy and commends them for their assistance in correcting this confusion. We look forward to working with Cairns News in the future on the issues they cover that no mainstream media dares to touch.

An article published on Cairns News has incorrectly claimed that “One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts, has no apparent interest in Far Northern Queensland cane industry” because my “office was contacted by Cairns News inquiring if he could assist in publicising the plight of growers… no reply was received”.

A search of our office’s email inbox does not reveal any contact from Cairns News in relation to this matter. There has also been no call received by my office about this issue from Cairns News.

My office has since contacted Cairns News via email and commented on their story with no return contact. Mossman Mill has also confirmed to my office that they have not tried to contact our office and did not ask for assistance.

My office also spoke with Claudio Santucci who is Chair of Tableland Cane growers (the article is incorrect as to his organisation). Claudio also confirms he has not made any contact with my office.

Contrary to the report, One Nation and I stand strongly with the Far Northern Queensland sugar cane industry. We were instrumental in pushing for the Sugar Code of Conduct to protect growers from multinational milling companies.

In 2018 we warned that the four year period for the Sugar Code was insufficient and that it should be legislated. With the code due for review this year, the Albanese government hasn’t given any indication whether they will continue to protect growers by keeping it permanently like One Nation has fought for.

Cane growers know One Nation has always cared deeply about protecting them from multinational predators and we will continue to fight for them anyway we can.

As all of these facts negate every aspect of the story I would ask Cairns News to withdraw the story and publish a correction as a matter of urgency.

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7 News: Cane farmers buried in expensive and unnecessary red tape.

Queensland is plagued with poor policies that are undermining our economic prosperity and productive capacity. Whether it be our cattle industry, reef tourism, sugar farming or our coal mines, policy is being determined on the whims of the current political party and Queenslanders are suffering.

Channel 7 have reported on our press conference where cane sugarcane farmer Geoffrey Bradshaw claims that reef regulations are crippling his industry. Dr Peter Ridd has been studying sediment run-off on the GBR for 30 years and is certain that if policy was based on robust scientific evidence, the reef regulations would be scrapped.

Our proposed Office of Scientific Integrity would ensure that all policy is based on the best available science.

Transcript

[Laura]

It’s the big claim from a scientist and a One Nation Senator, that if true, could shatter the base of reef relations.

[Dr Peter Ridd]

I think you’d find that most of the latest regulations would be found to be completely unwarranted. There is no pesticides out on the Great Barrier Reef.

[Senator Roberts]

I’ve had a gut full of why things operate in the Senate or don’t operate. We’ve had politicians that make policies based on emotions, fears, exaggerations, and sometimes outright lies.

[Laura]

One Nation’s Malcolm Roberts has proposed an office of scientific integrity be formed.

[Senator Roberts]

So that we can restore honesty in science again.

[Dr Peter Ridd]

Well we’ve got to make sure that the science is absolutely robust and well tested.

[Laura]

Dr. Peter Ridd says the office would look at the science behind all policies, not just reef regulations. Senator Roberts says he’s confident that if implemented it would debunk some of the science that forms policies across multiple industries.

[Senator Roberts]

It’s affecting cattle, it’s affecting the reef tourism, it’s affecting cane, and it’s affecting coal.

[Laura]

Cane farmers say the regulations have crippled their industry.

[Mr Jeffrey Bradshaw]

We’re awash, we’re awash with regulations.

[Senator Roberts]

The Palaszczuk Government in particular has criminalised farmers.

Laura Lavelle, 7 News.

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