The Liberals, Nationals, Labor and One Nation have refused to support the Greens call for the NSW Government to reinstate the moratorium on floodplain harvesting and water pumping.
Greens Spokesperson for Water Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the Federal Parliament could not wipe it’s hands of this issue.
“The New South Wales Government has selfishly lifted its moratorium on floodplain harvesting and water pumping, jeopardising the entire Murray-Darling River system,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“Southern basin users are rightly outraged. Preventing floodwater from flowing downstream to towns without drinking water, dry catchments and areas where fish species are facing collapse in favour of corporate irrigators is despicable.
“It is concerning that the moratorium was lifted after lobbying from large irrigators upstream. The reports surrounding the decision raise more questions over the integrity of the Murray-Darling Basin management.
“The Murray-Darling Basin is on the verge of collapse and family farms, river communities and the environment need national leadership.
“The Water Minister Keith Pitt needs to intervene. Critical human need and the future of the River must come before greedy corporate cotton irrigators.
“We need transparency and accountability, not just of floodplain harvesting and water pumping, but management of the whole system. States getting away with making decisions that only benefit them and their corporate mates will not guarantee water to those who really need it or the sustainability of our biggest river system into the future.”
