Dr. Walker questions the government's plans for biofuel production, particularly hemp-derived, to reduce reliance on foreign oil and alleviate consumer pressure during international crises. The government responds that a biofuels strategy is underway as part of the 'Made in WA' plan.

AnsweredQoN 333Legislative Council
Asked
7 May 2026
Portfolio
Energy and Decarbonisation

QuestionView source ↗

Biofuels
333. Hon Dr Brian Walker to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation:
I refer the minister
to recent calls for Australia to take a larger role in the production of
biofuels, not least those derived from hemp, to help break our dependence upon
foreign oil, which has recently cost Western Australians so much at the bowser.
(1) What consideration, if any, is the
Cook Labor government giving to biofuel options that might alleviate some of
the pressure on consumers when the next, almost inevitable, international
crisis is precipitated by the United States?
(2) Noting that those countries that produce
the majority of the world's biofuel—including the US, Brazil, and the European
Union—have strong mandates in place to ensure that biofuel is able to compete
with pollutant fossil fuels, will the government commit to taking an active
role in the future of biofuel production here, or continue to leave everything
to market forces and the big end of town?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The question was redirected
to me as Minister for Agriculture and Food.
(1)–(2) The Cook government's Made in WA plan includes a commitment to produce
an advanced biofuels strategy, which will look at the role that the state
government can play in building a local biofuels industry, including in
partnership with Australian Government initiatives such as the Cleaner Fuels
Program and the Future Made In Australia Innovation Fund. Work on this strategy
is currently underway.

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