2023-08-22
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens spokesperson for the Environment and Manager of Business for the Greens in the Senate:
“Sadly today’s announcement is little more than an agreement to kick the can down the road yet again.
“After a decade of broken promises there is still nothing to guarantee the delivery of 450 gigalitres of water promised to South Australia and the environment.
“If Minister Plibersek wants this to pass the Senate we need environmental flows guaranteed and water flowing to SA before the next election.
“Lifting a cap on buybacks is welcome in theory, but it means little unless water is actually bought and delivered on time. SA deserves that guarantee.
“Barnaby Joyce and the Coalition have stuffed this plan up for a decade, and the Greens want to work constructively to protect the river. That means an end to broken promises.
“The river dies from the mouth up and that’s why it’s crucial the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray mouth are healthy for the entire river system.
“Greed, vested interests and the political blame game need to end before El Nino and hotter summers driven by climate change leave the river high and dry again.”
Since the plan started in 2012 only 12 Gigalitres have been delivered of the 450 that was promised to South Australia & the environment.