The Nationals in Government will put an end to Labor’s delays and blatant politicking and deliver certainty for irrigators, communities and the environment in the Murray Darling Basin system, Senator Barnaby Joyce said today.
The Coalition released its $751.5 million plan for the Murray Darling Basin in Adelaide today.
“The future of the Murray-Darling should not be a choice between the environment or agriculture.”
“The Coalition will deliver effective national management by delivering on the stalled 2007 ten point national plan for the Murray-Darling Basin and we will release the Murray Darling Basin Plan within two weeks of taking government, if elected.”
Key actions in the Coalition’s plan include:
- Full and transparent public consultation on the consequences of the draft Basin Plan. We want to bring the communities of the basin with us on the journey of reform.
- An additional $300 million to fix inefficient on-farm irrigation infrastructure, a crucial step in saving water for the environment while sustaining irrigation communities.
- $500 million fund to secure Australia's future water supplies for productive purposes especially, but not exclusively, those within the fertile lands of the Murray Darling Basin.
- The commission of an urgent study of economic and social impacts of the draft Basin Plan by ABARE and the Productivity Commission and re-constituting the Basin Community Committee so that it reports directly to the Minister and the Ministerial Council.
- An additional $200 million to the Strengthening Basin Communities program and expand its scope so that basin communities can build more diverse and resilient economies.
- Development and release of specific guidelines for the process of water buybacks and clear recognition of water entitlements as a property right.
- Works to reengineer Menindee Lakes will commence within 12 months. This $400 million commitment to infrastructure improvements is expected to save up to 200 billion litres of water each year within the Murray Darling Basin system, while guaranteeing the water needs of Broken Hill.
“The Nationals are the champions of fair and responsible water reform in Australia. Only the Nationals in government will provide a real voice for the people and ensure that the future of our irrigation communities are secured.
“Our plan contrasts starkly with Labor’s record of failure in this crucial area of policy reform.
“Labor has failed to introduce a truly national approach to water reform. Their record is marred by sporadic and ineffective water buybacks, and disregard for communities.
“In government we were part of the team that put the Murray-Darling Basin on the path to national management in 2007. We started the process of fixing the Murray-Darling and we remain committed to that process.
“On August 21, I urge the people of Queensland to give us the chance to finish what we started.”