2022-04-21
National Party Minister David Littleproud has claimed the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is dead, again proving the Morrison-Joyce Government will kill Australia's biggest river system.
The National Party recklessly took water buybacks off the table in 2020, despite the scheme being crucial to restoring water flows to the river and delivering 450GL promised to South Australia.
Labor has declared it is committed to the Plan but not to buybacks, without which, SA will be left high and dry.
Greens Senator for SA and Spokesperson for the Environment and Water, Sarah Hanson-Young said it's clear the only way to ensure the 450GL is delivered in full and on time to SA is with the Greens in the Senate.
"South Australia will only get its fair share of water if we can secure buybacks, and that will require a Greens vote in the Senate," Senator Hanson-Young said.
“The 450GL promised to SA cannot be delivered without restoring voluntary water buybacks. This is critical to ensuring the longevity of the Murray and those who rely on it. In Senate balance of power, the Greens will push to ensure this is included in the next government's plan.
“As we head into an election, we must think about who we want in control of our Murray. South Australians have been left behind by the Morrison-Joyce Government.
“It's clear the Nationals cannot be trusted with water governance – we have seen our rivers suffer and corporate interests get rich at the expense of everyone else. The recent appointments of their Nationals mates and fossil fuel lobbyists onto Murray-Darling Basin review panels show that this is not going to change anytime soon.
“If we are to ensure the survival of Australia's most important river system, and delivery of fresh water to South Australians, we need proper, independent governance without the Nationals' interference.
South Australian Greens Senate candidate Barbara Pocock said:
“This is why the South Australian Senate race is so important. We need two strong voices for the Murray to stand up to the greedy Nationals upstream to restore the health of the river.
"We need representatives who will put the people and environment of South Australia first."
The Greens are also demanding the Federal Government release the overdue Water for the Environment Special Account (WESA) Report before the election.