What’s Happening?
The Federal Government is continuing its review of the Sugar Code of Conduct, with growers and millers across Queensland being invited to share their views.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Anthony Chisholm spent two days meeting industry representatives in Tully and Ayr.
The visit included workers at Tully Sugar Mill and members of the CANEGROWERS Burdekin collective. Senator Chisholm also met with Queensland Cane Agriculture and Renewables and the Kalamia Cane Growers Organisation.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is leading the review, which will assess how effectively the Code has operated since its introduction in 2017.
The review is required before the Code lapses in October 2027. It will consider whether the current settings continue to support fairness and transparency across the sugar industry.
Why It Matters?
The Sugar Code helps guide commercial relationships between growers and millers across Australia.
Its settings affect farms, mills, workers and businesses throughout regional Queensland, where sugar remains a major source of employment and economic activity.
The Federal Government said the review would help ensure the industry remains productive, sustainable and competitive.
“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
Mackay growers, millers and other sugar industry representatives will be able to speak directly with department officials during regional consultations in August 2026.
The Mackay session will give local industry members another opportunity to discuss their submissions and explain how the Code operates within one of Queensland’s major sugar regions.
Department representatives will also visit Bundaberg, Townsville, Tully, Cairns and Ayr as part of the wider consultation program.
People can register for a drop-in session through the Sugar Code Review consultation page.
By The Numbers
- Queensland’s sugar industry supports more than 40,000 jobs directly and indirectly across farming, milling and the wider supply chain.
- Public consultation attracted 283 submissions, showing strong engagement from growers, millers and other industry representatives.
- The Sugar Code was introduced in 2017 and is due to lapse in October 2027 unless further action is taken.
- The Federal Government announced a $1.1 billion Cleaner Fuels Program over 10 years in the 2026 Federal Budget.
Zoom In
For Mackay, the review provides an opportunity to raise issues affecting local growers, mills and workers.
The region has a long connection with sugar production, making the consultation important for businesses and communities across the wider supply chain.
Feedback from Mackay will be considered alongside written submissions and discussions held in other sugar-growing regions.
“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.
People planning to attend can register for a Mackay drop-in session online.
Zoom Out
The review is also considering how the sugar industry could benefit from new opportunities in bioenergy, cleaner fuels and regional employment.
“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 suitable regulatory settings could support further investment and growth while maintaining fair relationships across the sector.
“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 continue meeting sugar industry groups across Queensland during August 2026.
Feedback gathered through the regional sessions will be considered as the department completes its review of the Code.
The findings will help determine whether changes are needed before the Sugar Code lapses in October 2027.
