IN the last week, water has once more risen to become a dominant subject in the news with the National Party putting forward surprise motions to amend the Murray Darling Basin Plan that went against the ideas of the governing Liberal Party. With backing from the opposition and the cross benches, the motion was defeated.
In response to the National Party putting forward amendments to the Basin Plan today, Environment Victoria CEO, Jono La Nauze, said, “The Basin Plan was a hard-fought compromise between multiple states and the Commonwealth. Until today it had bipartisan support.
“Removing the 450 gigalitres from the agreement would sign the death warrant for the Coorong and increase the frequency of fish kills and toxic algal blooms.”
With the National Party reallocation of portfolios according to those that supported Barnaby Joyce’s appointment, the Water Ministry still under Keith Pitt has been taken out of Cabinet to make room for Bridget McKenzie who picked up a number of all thing’s regional ministries with the exception of water.
Since we have now passed the winter solstice and head back to summer, concern is being raised over the impact the summer flows to support South Australian licence holders have on areas such as fish breeding, boating, cultural interests and degradation of the Barmah Choke.
Time will tell if agreement between the states can be reached before we head into summer and more importantly, between the coalition partners who ultimately have control over it.
