The Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson met with a number of local delegations in the board room at Mackay Airport recently.

Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson and Member for Dawson De-Anne Kelly field questions from the media at a press conference at Mackay Airport.

The meetings were organised by Member for Dawson De-Anne Kelly.

Mr Anderson – Federal National Party Leader and Minister for Transport and Regional Services – had discussions with local sugar industry leaders, including Mackay Canegrowers chairman Paul Schembri and chairman of Mackay Sugar Eddie Westcott.

His visit also included briefings on a pilot ethanol plant being mooted for Mackay.

Mrs Kelly said tenders for the plant were expected to be called later this year. It’s anticipated the pilot plant would be associated with an existing sugar mill.

Mr Anderson held a press conference at Mackay Airport and was bombarded by the local media on a variety of issues including free trade, the sugar industry and road funding.