The Wire

At a time when everyone is groaning over rising petrol prices and perhaps eyeing off alternative fuels and cars, the government is planning to introduce legislative changes which some say will discourage biodiesel production in this country. Democrats senator Lynn Allison says the bill will advantage big oil producers like BP and has the potential to wipe out the fledgling biodiesel industry. Producer Darryl Butcher, CEO of Australian Renewable Fuels says it won’t put them out of business but it is a decision based on flawed maths. He says the government should be encourageing biodiesel use especially in tourist areas like the Great Barrier Reef.