The Times Australia
Mirvac Harbourside
The Times Politics

.

Outcomes out as numbers the only target


Environmental outcomes appear to have been swept aside in the chase for numbers under Labor’s revised Murray Darling Basin Plan according to Shadow Water Minister, Perin Davey.

“There is a lot to work through with these amendments, but I have always been focussed on maximising the environmental outcomes with minimal social and economic upheaval.

“That will be the test we apply to these amendments, but at first glance, it would appear the number is more important than the outcomes and that is not a good place to start.”

Legislative amendments introduced into Parliament today have changed the objectives of the funding for the oft referenced 450GL as well as weakening social and economic protections for Basin communities.

“It is apparent the goal is now just to transfer 450GL worth of licences to the Government from anywhere in the Basin regardless of whether it can actually be utilised in the way originally envisaged,” Senator Davey said.

“Easing or relaxing constraints used to be fundamental to maximise environmental outcomes and now we have a Government that is taking a ‘no regrets’ policy to constraints and has written off a key partner in addressing them, being the Victorian Government.

“By creating a new classification of water recovery under the 450, against which the social and economic test will not apply, the Minister is effectively admitting that buybacks hurt communities, but that she doesn’t care.

“She says she will compensate those communities impacted, but she doesn’t say how the impact assessment will be made or what the compensation will look like.

“All too often in the past, compensation packages offered by government have been tokenistic when the need is for wholesale economic adjustment.

“As much as we all love painted silos or an upgrade to the footy oval, that in no way compensates for the closure of a rice mill or dairy processing plant.

“These amendments have been introduced following a woeful lack of consultation with affected communities, so the Nationals and Liberals will be pushing for a Senate Inquiry to directly engage with, and hear the concerns of, impacted communities firsthand.”

Senator Davey said the flow on impacts of water leaving irrigation districts goes well beyond the farm gate, which is why the previous government focused their efforts on off-farm or in-river water savings.

“This Minister says all options are on the table but wants to start with buybacks rather than with new ideas.

“In a cost-of-living crisis, Tanya Plibersek is choosing to take water out of agricultural production which will only further increase the cost of groceries for Australian families,” Senator Davey said.
Mirvac Harbourside

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an onli...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beau...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data anal...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right c...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in t...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is ...

The Times Features

Do kids really need vitamin supplements?

Walk down the health aisle of any supermarket and you’ll see shelves lined with brightly packa...

Why is it so shameful to have missing or damaged teeth?

When your teeth and gums are in good condition, you might not even notice their impact on your...

Australian travellers at risk of ATM fee rip-offs according to new data from Wise

Wise, the global technology company building the smartest way to spend and manage money internat...

Does ‘fasted’ cardio help you lose weight? Here’s the science

Every few years, the concept of fasted exercise training pops up all over social media. Faste...

How Music and Culture Are Shaping Family Road Trips in Australia

School holiday season is here, and Aussies aren’t just hitting the road - they’re following the musi...

The Role of Spinal Physiotherapy in Recovery and Long-Term Wellbeing

Back pain and spinal conditions are among the most common reasons people seek medical support, oft...

Italian Lamb Ragu Recipe: The Best Ragù di Agnello for Pasta

Ciao! It’s Friday night, and the weekend is calling for a little Italian magic. What’s better than t...

It’s OK to use paracetamol in pregnancy. Here’s what the science says about the link with autism

United States President Donald Trump has urged pregnant women[1] to avoid paracetamol except in ...

How much money do you need to be happy? Here’s what the research says

Over the next decade, Elon Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire[1]. The Tesla board ...