[ryeman]

I think the last thing those horrible 'greens' wanted was an alliance between the cane grower and the Howard govt to promote ethanol at the cost of productive land previously used for other food.
The Nationals fm northern NSW and Qld certainly did want it to be able to exploit cane waste, along with one of Johnies mates who'd set up an ethanol plant!
IIRC Howard mandated it!