Fed: Govt denies suppressing ethanol report
CANBERRA, Dec 11 AAP - The federal government today denied it was suppressing scientificevidence about the impact of ethanol-laced petrol on cars and the environment.
Motoring body NRMA has called on the government to publish the results of random fueltesting undertaken for Environment Australia so motorists can protect their cars fromhigh ethanol fuel.
Newspaper reports said the Environment Australia study showed blends with 20 per centethanol could cause corrosion of fuel system parts, fuel leaks and increases in pollutants.
Motoring and consumer groups and the federal opposition are pushing for a 10 per centcap on ethanol and mandatory labelling so motorists know what they are putting in theircars.
But Environment Minister David Kemp said the report was just the first stage of a comprehensivestudy and was inconclusive about the impact of ethanol.
"The report clearly states that the impact of a 20 per cent blend of ethanol on engineand fuel system durability of the Australian vehicle fleet is unclear," he told ABC radio.
"In terms of engine wear, the literature reviewed is vague leaving only the valid conclusionthat testing is required to obtain data to form a view."
Opposition treasury spokesman Bob McMullan said the government should release the resultsnow and introduce interim measures to protect motorists while the study was completed.
"This is a scandal, it's a cover-up by the government, they're protecting their matesat the expense of motorists," he told reporters.
"Damage is being done to cars now, damage is being done to boat engines now, damageis being done to farm pumps now and the government needs to act now."
Ninety per cent of Australia's ethanol comes from the Manildra Group which is a largefinancial contributor to the Liberal Party.
AAP kmh/kjp/drp/sb
KEYWORD: ETHANOL REACTION
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