2019-07-22
The Greens Bill for a Commission of Inquiry into the Murray-Darling was debated this morning in the Senate.
“Today the Senate finally began the debate on a full and frank inquiry into the mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin,” Greens water spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“Our Rivers continue to languish under a poorly implemented Plan. It is up to the Parliament to resolve these issues and get the Murray-Darling Basin back on track. I urge the Labor Party to support a Royal Commission and not let the Coalition Government and Barnaby Joyce off the hook.
“Most of the $13 billion allocated for the plan has been spent but the River continues to show signs of serious ill-health. This affects farmers, communities and the environment, and it is well past time to get to the bottom of what’s gone wrong.
“Despite continuing scandals and disasters in the Basin, the government continues to sit on its hands. They must take urgent action, stop the rorts and hold those responsible to account. And they can do that by supporting this Bill when it comes back before the Parliament.
“Basin communities, family farmers and Australian taxpayers deserve answers. The only way to get them is with a federal Royal Commission, that’s why we’ll be continuing this debate.”