Today we have seen an unbelievably short sighted attack by the cross bench on the future of the Murray Darling water system. All we can conclude is that Barnaby Joyce in his desperation has enlisted the support of the cross bench to grab Malcolm Turnbull’s attention.
In their press conference this morning a coalition of cross bench Senators claimed that we need to choose between farmers and the environment.
This is not an either or situation, we do not have to choose between the farms and the environment. The progress on the Murray- Darling Basin Plan to date goes to prove that we can walk and chew gum, unlike the cross bench.
Labor is committed to the delivery of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. The Murray-Darling Basin Plan is the key to returning our most important river system to health. Without a healthy river system we will not have sustainable communities or industries in the Murray Darling Basin.
The success of the Basin Plan relies on the support of the two major parties and the Basin States, who just weeks ago all reconfirmed their support.
You secure the best policy outcomes when everyone with an interest in an issue can have confidence in the system and the decision making process.
Barnaby Joyce’s approach is reckless and not one which properly guards agriculture’s long-term sustainable interests and one which will upset the balance of environment and production interests.
It’s that approach which unsettles the consensus and makes it hard to secure support for even the most modest of reforms which are deemed to be necessary and acceptable.
Labor calls on the Prime Minister to stand firm on the bi-partisan position on the Murray – Darling Basin Plan .
WEDNESDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2015
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
THE HON MARK BUTLER MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER
MEMBER FOR PORT ADELAIDE
THE HON JOEL FITZGIBBON MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY
SHADOW MINISTER FOR RURAL AFFAIRS
SPOKESPERSON FOR COUNTRY CAUCUS
MEMBER FOR HUNTER
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