Morris Iemma should seriously rethink his willingness to embrace John Howard’s flawed and under prepared Murray-Darling Basin scheme, according to NSW Greens MP and water spokesperson Ian Cohen.
“Revelations that Federal Cabinet were not consulted about the plan and that departmental officials were unable to answer where and how the $10 billion would be spent show that this is nothing more than a quick political fix for a Prime Minister and a Premier with elections looming,” said Mr Cohen.
“Mr Iemma should do his homework before committing the NSW Government to such a major decision.
“The Murray Darling Basin needs action based on expert and thoughtful analysis, not a poorly thought out plan governed by political expediency.
“The Greens consistent position on this issue is that the needs of the Murray Darling Basin must be above politics. We recognise that the current system doesn’t work, but nor will the Prime Minister’s solution.
“The Murray Darling Basin needs to be administrated by an independent panel whose members have proven water experience. All Greens Senators and MPs from the affected states recently signed a letter to each of the Premiers and the Prime Minister requesting their support for just such a panel.
“The Murray Darling has been drastically over allocated through the self interest of politicians and the greed of big business for decades now. The Prime Minster’s plan is potentially giving us more of the same.
“Morris Iemma needs to stand up for farmers, the environment, and the long term health of the Murray Darling by pushing for its administration to be taken out of the hands of politicians and into the control of independent water experts,” concluded Mr Cohen.
Further Information: Michael Hidden 0431 320085 or 02 9230 3305
Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466
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