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Statement to Parliament on MDBA, Albury Meeting tomorrow
28-October-2010
The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has, no doubt, been somewhat hopeful that a lack of appearances by members on the floor this week might indicate irrigators and communities throughout the Murray Darling Basin have been soothed by his recent statements on Water Reform.
As the Member for Mallee quite rightly attempted to do yesterday…
Can I now inform the house - and particularly the Minister - the mood of the latest Community Consultation meeting staged at Mildura at yesterday was one of confusion on all sides.
Around 1800 concerned, confused and, in many cases, angry people attended the two consultation sessions, and I might mention – yet again – a representative
from the other side of this House failed to front to find this out for themselves.
Elsewhere, our key farming lobby around the Basin - The NSW Farmers Association - has also taken the extraordinary action of demanding the Authority withdraw the plan – arguing it would speed up population decline in regional areas, in contrast to this Federal Government’s aspirations to maintain them.
We’ve also heard this week the MDBA’s Guide to the Guide which the Government doesn’t now endorse, nor knows of its correct legal status –needs further clarification from the Australian Government Solicitor to decide if it can come close to reality.
If this is Real and Genuine consultation – as the Minister revealed to the House yesterday…perhaps he could make time to attend the next meeting –
at Albury - in my home electorate tomorrow to make sense of the mess!