House of Representative Murray Darling Basin inquiry investigations begin
December 17, 2010
The Federal Government’s House of Representatives, Parliamentary inquiry into the Murray Darling Basin began its investigations of the Murray Darling Basin this week.
Dr Sharman Stone, Federal Member for Murray, who is herself a member of the committee, said the committee have the task of giving the Gillard Government the best possible information and advice about the impacts of the MDBA’s current disastrous plan and offer smarter alternatives.
“The way it currently stands, the Murray Darling Basin Authority guidelines need to be treated as just that. They are by no means even close to what the final plan should look like. The recently resigned Murray Darling Basin Authority Chairman, Mike Taylor, said himself that the statistics were wrong, in particular in relation to job losses.
“The final plan must not take away jobs, damage food production in Australia, or kill off family farms and their communities. There has to be a win-win outcome.
“The House of Representatives Committee that I am a representative of, has to report by April. However there should not be any rush to meet an artificial deadline.
“If Labor can’t get the Murray Darling Basin Authority Plan right, then they shouldn’t do it at all. Prime Minister Gillard has only granted a miserable two more months for the plan to be presented to her. This is in February 2012. This simply may not be long enough.
“Minister Tony Burke has asked our House of Representative Committee to question all of the science that has been used so far, in relation to the environment, where water can be found and irrigation.
“People should not be distracted by those who say we must go back to the Water Act. Minister Burke himself has commissioned and put on the table the Solicitor General’s advice which said the report according to the Act must optimise social, economic and environmental outcomes.
“I have ensured that the House of Representatives Committee chaired by Tony Windsor visits the Murray Electorate and in particular the Barmah Forest and its devastating black water events, a consequence of mis-managed environmental water and mis-managed national park.
“It is very important that people make submissions to the House of Representatives inquiry by the 20th of December. Submissions can be emailed to ra.reps@aph.gov.au or posted to The Secretary, The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia, PO Box 6021, Parliament House, Canberra, and ACT. 2600.
“I think it’s also very important that both the Labor Member for Mc Ewen and the Labor Member for Bendigo are on this inquiry panel. It will be a steep learning curve for them but it is most important that they learn all about irrigation systems, the needs of the environment, the needs to keep jobs in our region and the need to maintain food production for the people of Australia and for our exports.
“If at the end of the day I am not satisfied with the plan, I will not support it in parliament.”
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