Terri Butler joins Sustainable Aviation Fuels Alliance of Australia and New Zealand to help fast track the development of SAF

MEDIA RELEASE

Australia is well placed to reap a substantial economic windfall from the global growth in Sustainable Aviation Fuel, but must act swiftly to catch the pace set by other nations, according to incoming chair of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Alliance Australia and New Zealand, Terri Butler.

The former Federal Labor MP has joined the alliance to help fast-track the development and uptake of SAF in the region, leading an alliance that brings together Australia’s key airlines, airports and fuel suppliers.

Despite an abundance of natural feedstocks and an industry full of willing participants and customers, Ms Butler said Australia was falling further behind other nations in the pursuit of a viable domestic SAF industry, putting our airlines and transport operators at the mercy of foreign markets.

“Our airlines have not only embraced the SAF pathway, but have led the charge. But to fully realise their emissions reduction ambitions, domestic production and supply of SAF is critical,’’ Ms Butler said.

 “For a nation so heavily reliant on aviation, it is imperative that Australia sets its own course, writes its own rules and reaps its own rewards. Sustainable Aviation Fuel can no longer be a problem for others to solve and act on. We have the feedstock, we have the knowledge and we have the willingness from industry to make it happen.

“The risks of leaving development and deployment of this critical technology to our global peers will leave Australia at the mercy of foreign markets, geopolitics, and distance.”

Ms Butler’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the aviation sector as it seeks to ramp up decarbonisation and secure greater access to SAF. But the opportunity must be seized, not squandered. “If the building blocks are not put in place this year, Australia risks not only missing out on a genuine economic growth story, but exposing the nation to what is arguably the world’s next fuel security issue and undermining our collective pursuit of action on climate change.’’

The appointment comes as the Federal Government steps up its commitment in the space, pledging the formation of a Jet Council to determine the best policy framework required to accelerate decarbonisation of aviation, lower barriers to entry, and encourage investment.

At last week’s Avalon Airshow, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, The Hon Catherine King convened an industry round to discuss the formation of the council, its purpose and its composition.

“The Jet Council will be a vital connection point for State and Federal governments with aviation industry stakeholders,’’ Ms Butler said.

Hon Catherine King MP, Minister of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government “Sustainable aviation fuels represent a tangible opportunity for the aviation sector to cut its emissions in the short to medium term and it is encouraging to see that happening first hand. Our Jet Zero council will work with industry so that we can see more initiatives like this across Australia.”

“Meeting that challenge of decarbonisation will require prolonged cooperation between industry and governments, to open the door to a critical pathway that will enable the sector to meet its commitments, while remaining competitive.”

In its pre-budget submission to the Federal Government, the alliance called on the government to fast-track policy that would help unlock a domestic SAF industry, including funding Defence to be a cornerstone customer in the renewable fuel, by committing Defence to a 10 per cent SAF target by 2030.

“A commitment from the ADF to be an early cornerstone customer of Australian-produced SAF would be a leap forward for the development of a domestic SAF industry, acting as a direct market signal, and giving industry certainty that policy levers will be put in place to ensure its success,’’ Ms Butler said.

More than two-thirds of fuel consumed by the Australian Defence Force is aviation fuel, representing six per cent of total jet fuel consumed in Australia.