What’s Happening?
The Federal Government is reviewing the Sugar Code of Conduct as consultation continues across Queensland’s sugar regions.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Anthony Chisholm spent two days meeting growers and millers in Tully and Ayr.
His visit included Tully Sugar Mill and the CANEGROWERS Burdekin collective. He also met Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables and Kalamia Cane Growers Organisation.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is managing the review. It will examine how the Code has operated since 2017.
All industry codes must be reviewed before they lapse. The Sugar Code is due to expire in October 2027.
The review will consider whether the Code still supports fair and transparent dealings across Australia’s sugar industry.
Why It Matters?
The Sugar Code influences how growers and millers work together across the supply chain.
Its rules matter to regional businesses, workers and communities that rely on a stable and competitive sugar sector.
The Federal Government said the industry needs suitable settings to support long-term production, jobs and investment.
“Sugar is vitally important to rural and regional Queensland, and the Albanese Government wants to ensure that the industry has the right settings to thrive,” Senator Chisholm said.
“The sugar industry has played a huge part in our state’s history, and it will continue to play that role into the future.”
Local Impact
Townsville sugar representatives will have a chance to speak directly with department officials during consultations in August 2026.
The session will allow growers, millers and industry groups to discuss their submissions and raise concerns affecting the region.
Townsville will be included alongside Mackay, Bundaberg, Tully, Cairns and Ayr in the regional consultation program.
People can register for a drop-in session through the Sugar Code Review consultation page.
The Townsville visit will ensure local industry views are considered before the review reaches its final stages.
By The Numbers
- Queensland’s sugar industry supports more than 40,000 jobs directly and indirectly across the wider supply chain.
- The public consultation received 283 submissions, showing strong involvement from industry representatives across Australia.
- The Federal Government committed $1.1 billion over 10 years through the Cleaner Fuels Program in the 2026 Federal Budget.
Zoom In
For Townsville, the consultation creates a direct link between local industry members and the department leading the review.
Growers and millers can explain how the Code works in practice and where changes may be needed.
The session also gives Townsville representatives another chance to discuss issues already raised through formal submissions.
“With consultation ongoing, I encourage industry to take advantage of the opportunities to speak with department representatives visiting the region next month,” Senator Chisholm said.
Local representatives can register online for a Townsville drop-in session.
Zoom Out
The review is taking place as the government considers the sugar industry’s role in cleaner fuels and bioenergy.
“Through the Albanese Government’s Future Made in Australia plan, Queensland’s sugar industry is uniquely positioned to unlock important opportunities in bioenergy and regional job creation,” Senator Chisholm said. “Our Government is committed to helping them get there, bolstered by our ten-year, $1.1 billion Cleaner Fuels Program announced in the 2026 Federal Budget.”
The government said the right regulations could support traditional sugar production while opening new economic opportunities.
“Sugar already supports thousands of regional jobs and contributes billions to our economy – we know with the right settings it can grow even further,” Senator Chisholm said.
What To Look For Next?
Department representatives will meet sugar industry members across Queensland during August 2026.
The Townsville session will add local feedback to submissions already received during the public consultation period.
Those discussions will help shape the department’s findings before the Code lapses in October 2027.
The review may result in updated settings that better reflect current conditions across the sugar industry.
