Subiaco renewable energy company Natural Fuel Ltd has appointed former Prime Ministerial-hopeful John Hewson as chairman.
Subiaco renewable energy company Natural Fuel Ltd has appointed former Prime Ministerial-hopeful John Hewson as chairman.
The well-known and outspoken economist, who ran for Prime Minister in 1993 with the introduction of a GST as his key policy, is currently also an advisor to the UN.
Below is the full announcement:
Dr John Hewson has been appointed chairman of Natural Fuel Limited, the Perth based group of global renewable energy companies, which specialise in the production of premium grade biodiesel.
Dr Hewson was a federal parliamentarian between 1987 and 1995, rising to become the Liberal party leader and leader of the Federal Opposition in the 1993 elections.
Dr Hewson brings to the position an extensive background in economics and finance, having worked as an economist for the Australian Treasury, The Reserve Bank, the IMF, and advisor to two successive Federal Treasurers and the Prime Minister. He is currently The Special Advisor to the Under Secretary of the United Nations and the Executive Secretary on Infrastructure Financing to UNESCAP.
Dr Hewson is also Chairman of Business Leaders Forum on Sustainable Development, which has very much led the way in business discussion on sustainability, corporate social responsibility and the environment.
Announcing the appointment today (Thursday, October 12), Natural Fuel Ltd Managing Director, Richard Selwood, said the company was thrilled Dr Hewson had joined the board.
"Not only are Dr Hewson's credentials and experience of the highest level, he shares our vision for NFL to become one of the world's top three producers of premium biodiesel as an environmentally friendly, renewable and sustainable fuel," he said.
"John's leadership is exactly what Australia needs to bring biodiesel to the forefront of the nation's attention as a viable and economic mainstream fuel source, very much in line with current US and EU policies to reduce vehicle emissions through the development of the biofuels industry."
With the exception of Sweden, which is looking to phase out fossil fuels entirely by 2020, other EU countries are working to a 20 per cent market share of B100 (pure biodiesel) within the same timeframe. The USA has a target to contribute 10 per cent of all fuel requirements through Biofuels by 2010. Bush has announced recently of his intent to reduce the dependency on imported oil from the Middle East by 75 per cent.
Dr Hewson said, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to join the Natural Fuels board at a time when the world is finally starting to realise the environment and lifestyle significance of our dependence on fossil fuels and, more broadly, the significance of issues like global warming. I see the opportunity to make a contribution to Natural Fuels as a sensible extension of the focus of my recent business experience on renewables and sustainability, through companies focussed on recycling of household garbage, energy efficient light bulbs and other appliances, and so on."
By the end of 2007, the company's target is to produce over one billion litres per annum of premium biodiesel that conforms to, and exceeds, all international standards.
NFL has the rights to the internationally acclaimed Lurgi biodiesel production technology, and in Australia through its joint venture company, Natural Fuels Australia Limited, has secured an exclusive 5-year license to the technology.
In July this year, NFL achieved international recognition when Natural Fuels Australia Limited became the world's first biodiesel producer to construct a refinery entirely off-site in modular form. Built at the Australian Marine Complex near Perth, Western Australia, by the Ausclad Group of Companies, the refinery was transported by ship to the Darwin facility site, the operation representing more than $80 million investment in total.
