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The Game Has Changed
01-October-2010
The game may be ON in the 43rd Federal Parliament but the game has CHANGED.
Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley, has called on Labor’s new Water Minister to tour areas of South-West NSW before assessing the Murray Darling Basin Authority’s (MDBA) Basin Plan which is due for release next week.
Ms Ley expressed concern the Government might use our region’s improved recent rainfalls to elevate surface and groundwater limits in the basin regardless of the MDBA proposals.
Addressing parliament overnight, Ms Ley warned “the plan has the potential to reduce water allocations to a stage where some irrigation communities will become almost unviable”.
Noting the Minister, Tony Burke, already had admitted there would be negative socio-economic impacts of the Plan, Ms Ley delivered the city-based MP a direct message from her electorate.
“Farmers cannot prepare for a future with less water if they do not know what the availability of this most significant input will be.” She added, “banks and other lenders cannot provide ongoing credit and other means of support unless they have an idea of that all important bottom line”.
Ms Ley also attacked Labor’s policy toward the Menindee Lakes. “Broken Hill people feel this government is prepared to sacrifice the lake system to satisfy its environmental water agenda.” It is not only vital but the absolute right of this iconic outback city to secure its long term water needs.
“I invite the Minister to visit the NSW Central Murray and Sunraysia regions to see the level of investment and commitment we bring to Australia’s rural and regional future”.