Greens MP Ian Cohen spoke in the Legislative Council last night about the need for cooperation between all stakeholders regarding water management of the Murray-Darling basin.
“I am listening to all stakeholders. Environmentalists, farmers, indigenous nations, regional communities, scientists and agricultural industries need to engage in renewed discussion and cooperation to address the multidimensional challenges of water management”, said Mr Cohen.
“Too much is on the line for us to retreat to the shelter of ideologies. This is beyond the usual tug of war between political parties. It is a dying ecosystem in urgent need of a cooperative approach.
The Water (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2008 was debated last night in the Upper House of Parliament. The legislation cedes power for the water management of the Murray Darling Basin from the NSW Government to the Federal Government and should provide some simplification of management for this region and relief to local communities living off the Basin.
“It is clear …that there is a dire need to implement a consistent governance framework. Gross mismanagement by the States competing interests and short term vision in the agricultural sector over a long period is to blame”, said Mr Cohen
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