MEMBER for Murray Helen Dalton has cautiously welcomed the Federal Government’s water release announcement, however says “the devil will be in the detail”.
As part of last week’s $1 billion drought stimulus package, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced 100 gigalitres of water from the Murray River would be made available to farmers at discounted rates to grow fodder.
Mrs Dalton said the absurdity of farmers — especially those in the NSW Riverina region of her electorate — watching fresh river water flush past them and out to sea was something she had been “screaming about” for the past year.
While she said she was “somewhat pleased” with Thursday’s funding announcement, she still had many unanswered questions.
“Until we see the fodder growing, we can’t be sure of anything,” she said.
Federal Water Minister David Littleproud said up to 6000 farmers would each gain access to 25 megalitres of water, which must be used to grow feed for livestock.
He said the water would be offered to irrigators at $100 per megalitre and delivered by April 31.
But Mrs Dalton questioned how the government would monitor the water’s use and farmers’ eligibility for it.
“How will the government ensure the water is used for growing fodder?” she said.
“Which farmers will be eligible?
“How do we know big corporates won’t snap it up and sell for a higher price?
“I look forward to seeing the detail as soon as possible.”
She said selling water to farmers for a “so-called discounted rate” was “nothing for the government to brag about”.
“The government has been charging broke Murray farmers fixed fees for zero allocation,” Mrs Dalton said.
“I know farmers who have spent $100,000 for fees over the past two years and received no water.”
“This water release ought to be allocated free of cost.
“Those who need this most are deeply in debt.”
Mrs Dalton will join the Stop the Basin Plan rally in Canberra on December 2. The protest rally is being organised by several southern basin advocacy groups.
