Committee Details

Committee’s report

The committee tabled its Report No. 16, 58^th Parliament – Inquiry into Sugarcane Bioenergy Opportunities in Queensland on Tuesday 31 March 2026. 

The government has three months to respond to the report’s recommendations. Once tabled, the government response will be published here. 

View:    Report  
View:    Executive Summary 

About the Inquiry 

Inquiry Flyer

On 11 June 2025, the Primary Industries and Resources Committee resolved to self-refer an inquiry into sugarcane bioenergy opportunities in Queensland with the following terms of reference:

1. The role and benefits of sugar cogeneration in Queensland’s electricity generation mix, including existing capacity and potential for expansion.
2. Market, regulatory, and infrastructure barriers to increased bioenergy production from sugar.
3. Opportunities to align sugar biofuel production with national security and Defence liquid fuel needs.
4. Policy and funding mechanisms to de-risk investment in cogeneration and biofuels by manufacturers and growers, including examples of successful policy implementation from overseas and other industries.
5. The R&D agenda to underpin a world leading sugar-led bioenergy industry.
6. Strategic land use and regional development considerations affecting cane growing and sugar manufacturing capacity.
7. Benefits for growers in diversification opportunities.
8. Consideration of food verses fuel.

Further information

Further information including written briefings, correspondence, response to submissions, transcripts and answers to questions taken on notice are available under the Related Publications tab.

timeline