2018-08-28
Barnaby Joyce’s first act as drought envoy is to attempt to tear apart the basis of the Murray Darling Basin Plan, the Greens say.
“Barnaby Joyce has used his first day on the job to go back to his old tricks – trying to rip water off of the environment,” Greens water spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“Barnaby Joyce should be turning to his corporate irrigator mates like Cubbie Station, who have been taking more than their share for too long while their neighbours suffer through this drought.
“This anti-climate, anti-science Government has already cut environmental flows after Labor voted with them to reduce water for the river in May. It cannot afford further cuts.
“The Greens would block any moves to amend the Water Act to take water from the environment for a Barnaby Joyce thought bubble.
“Barnaby Joyce’s so-called solution cannot undo decades of bad policy and planning. Quick fixes won’t help farmers, and further degrading the environment and diluting the Murray Darling Basin Plan will hinder the next generation of farmers.
“The former head of the National Farmers’ Federation called it out today – we need a drought policy that is underpinned by climate change action. The biggest problem facing this Government is too many of them do not accept the science of climate change.”