Jamison group to establish road map for fuel

NRMA Motoring & Services is calling for the establishment of a group of industry experts and decision-makers to develop a road-map for an alternative fuel industry in Australia.

NRMA President Alan Evans said the Jamison Group, named after the location of today's NRMA Alternative Fuel Summit, will be responsible for establishing a road map to solve Australia's fuel crisis in the same way the Wentworth Group was established to solve the nation's water shortages.

The group will comprise six to 10 eminent experts in the field from the scientific, business and political sectors. NRMA will contribute $250,000 to its establishment and will call on other parties to also contribute.

"Today's Alternative Fuel Summit has brought together some of the nation´s leading minds and decision makers in alternative fuels - but our job is not finished," Mr Evans said.

"The Jamison Group will be tasked with looking at all alternative fuel energy options and what proactive steps can be taken to fast-track their development.
 
"We want to look at what role governments can play to support the development of these industries and the new generation of vehicles that will run on these fuels.

"We will look to the car manufacturers and oil industry to play a leadership role in doing their part to ensure Australia is building these vehicles and producing locally-developed fuels to run them.?

In the coming days NRMA will contact and request support to establish the Jamison Group from:

• the oil industry
• finance and banking sector
• local car manufacturers
• the Federal Government
• eminent scientists
• alternative fuel experts

Today's NRMA Alternative Fuel Summit included international and domestic experts on alternative fuels, Minister for Trade Warren Truss and Opposition Leader Kim Beazley, the oil industry, leading scientists and vehicle manufacturers.

"If there is one lesson to take from today's summit, it's that the options available to Australia for developing a local industry that will meet our transport energy needs are limitless," Mr Evans said.

"We heard of a booming ethanol industry in Brazil where almost 80 per cent of new cars sold are flex fuel models.

"We also heard about incentives provided by the US Federal and state governments, which has led to biodiesel being America's fastest growing alternative fuel.

"And a case study from Sweden, where the Government has supported the introduction of ethanol cars by offering motorists tax incentives and free parking, along with fuel industry support to roll out ethanol pumps at service stations.

"These are just some of the options available to our nation but we need to get to work now."