Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says the state is on track to deliver five per cent ethanol in petrol sold in the state by 2010. Ms Bligh's comment came as the Queensland opposition announced it would, for the third time, introduce to parliament a private member's bill mandating ethanol in petrol.

Visiting the north Queensland city of Townsville yesterday, Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said the laws would require a minimum volume of ethanol in petrol sold in the state. Mr Springborg said the exact percentage would be introduced in stages as production capacity increased. A five per cent ethanol percentage could be possible by 2009, rising to 10 per cent by 2011, he said.

"An ethanol mandate in Queensland could provide a massive kick-start to the fledgling renewable fuels industry, reduce Queensland's reliance on imports, create jobs and improve air quality," Mr Springborg said.

The opposition has tried to introduce similar laws on two previous occasions, but Labor has used its majority to defeat them. But Ms Bligh yesterday told reporters in Brisbane she was committed to delivering on Labor's election promise of a mandated five per cent ethanol in regular unleaded petrol wholesaled and produced in Queensland by 2010.

Previous discussions :

Phil Hart - Ethanol fuel is not so green
Stuart Staniford - Fermenting the fuel supply