Green MPs call for independent water authority - 2 February 2007

State and Federal Green MPs concerned with the Murray Darling Basin have
joined voices to call for the establishment of an independent authority
to manage water resources and to ensure the long-term health of the
Murray Darling Basin.

In a letter to the Prime Minister and the Premiers of South Australia,
Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, the Green MPs advocated the
adoption of the independent administrative model proposed by Professor
Mike Young.

"A Board comprised of scientific and community leaders with proven water
expertise who are free from political interference is clearly the best
model," said South Australian Greens MLC, Mark Parnell.

"Given the crucial role played by independent authorities like the
Reserve Bank and the ACCC, it is ludicrous for the PM to object to
delegating this authority. If it is good for the economy, it should be
good for water too," said Senator Rachel Siewert.

"To deliver long-term water security and ensure the health of the system
we need to have a truly independent decision-making body," said NSW
spokesperson Lee Rhiannon.

"Hard decisions need be made to tackle over-allocation by buying water
entitlements to restore river health and save the Coorong," said
Victorian spokesperson Greg Barber.

"The politics needs to be taken out of the Murray," said ACT MLA Deb
Foskey.

Media Contacts:
Senator Rachel Siewert - Chris Twomey 0407 725 025
Mark Parnell MLC (SA) - Craig Wilkins 0434 007 893
Greg Barber MLC (Vic) - 0433 044 771
Lee Rhiannon MLC (NSW) - 0427 861 568
Deb Foskey MLA (ACT) - Roland Manderson 0412 241 379


Signatories:
Senator Bob Brown (Greens Tas)
Senator Christine Milne (Greens Tas)
Senator Kerry Nettle (Greens NSW)
Senator Rachel Siewert (Greens WA)
Mark Parnell MLC (Greens SA)
Greg Barber MLC (Greens Vic)
Colleen Hartland MLC (Greens Vic)
Sue Pennicuik MLC (Greens Vic)
Ian Cohen MLC (Greens NSW)
Sylvia Hale MLC (Greens NSW)
Lee Rhiannon MLC (Greens NSW)
Deb Foskey MLA (Greens ACT)