2023-02-22
The Greens have welcomed reports the Federal Government will restart water buybacks to deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan but declared they will push for voluntary buybacks to deliver the the 450GL promised to South Australia.
Greens Water Spokesperson and Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young said:
"Delivery of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is in dire straights. Without water buybacks there is no chance the Plan will be delivered on time or in full.
"The Greens have been calling for water buybacks to be back on the table since Barnaby Joyce and the National Party took them off and we welcome news they will recommence.
"The big corporate irrigators have gamed the system for far too long, it's time to do what was promised and return water back to the environment.
"The Greens will push in the senate for voluntary water buybacks to be used to also deliver the 450GL promised to South Australia.
"So-called water efficiency projects have failed to return anywhere near enough water to the River and the water costs two to three times that of water purchased under competitive, transparent tender.
"There is no longer time to mess around with expensive and ineffective projects, the health of Australia's biggest river system and all who depend on it, is at stake."