The Biofuels Association of Australia today called on both sides of the federal election to consider how renewable and sustainable fuels can play a role in directly reducing carbon emissions and balancing Australia's fuel trade deficit.

"Governments across the globe - the US, the EU, Asia - are all implementing policies to lower their reliance on fossil fuels and increase their blends of biofuels into the mix but Australia continues to lag behind" said BAA chief Heather Brodie.

"Biofuels are a way that we can right here and right now take action on carbon and yet little leadership is being shown."

A recent Newspoll/ NRMA survey found that 82 percent of voters want the government to end Australia's dependence on imported oil and secure the nation's transport energy future with biofuels and other renewable sources.

"Australia relies on imported fossil fuels for more than half of its liquid fuel needs and this figure is rising" said Ms Brodie.

"The tragedy of several recent oil spills and an alarming trade deficit of dependence on imported product are being ignored with a reticence by the federal government to take a stronger stance on the use of alternative fuels. Australia's production of biofuels predominantly comes from waste streams such as waste starch, molasses, or non-human food sources so it is inexcusable to not listen to the voters who are demanding the product."

"We need to recognise that locally produced, environmentally sustainable and economically viable transport fuels will be necessary in order to meet fuel demands in the future" she said.

"Voters demand that the next Australian government take action on this so that Australians are no longer exposed to volatile world oil prices and dirtier and finite fossil fuels."