2018-06-28
The Senate has today has supported a Greens motion condemning the Government for hiding from the South Australian Murray Darling Basin Royal Commission.
“Our river is on life support and our government is in witness protection,” Greens Murray Darling Basin spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“The Senate has sent a clear message to this government: this isn’t good enough. Give the people of South Australia the respect they deserve and stop hiding, show up and tell the truth.
“The South Australian Royal Commission has this week heard allegations from a former CSIRO scientist the MDBA actively suppressed the CSIRO’s evidence that the Basin Plan target of 2,750GL would fail to secure the future of the River.
“This Royal Commission has brought to light allegations of the MDBA suppressing research, doctoring reports, and ignoring its legal obligation to the ‘best available science’.
“The Turnbull Government says it’s committed to transparency. Meanwhile it’s hiding from scrutiny departmental officials, MDBA officials past and present, documents and the CSIRO.
“The Turnbull Government and the MDBA have questions to answer. But they’re going to the courts instead of going to the Commission.
“It’s cowardice. And what’s more, it’s disrespectful to the people of South Australia."