Mick Keelty should focus on basin compliance – Cupper

MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper has backed a call for Murray-Darling Basin inspector-general Mick Keelty to refocus on fixing the long-standing issues that have undermined the basin instead of water sharing arrangements.

Ms Cupper said comments by Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville that the focus of the Commonwealth Government’s water umpire Mick Keelty was in the wrong place had hit the mark.

She said that while she supported the creation of the inspector-general role and the appointment of Mr Keelty, local growers, by and large, wanted to see the Murray-Darling Basin Plan implemented properly and fairly.

“They are proud that Victoria leads the way in terms of compliance and want to see other states doing their bit too,” Ms Cupper said.

“They want Mr Keelty to be focused on fixing the long-standing issues that have undermined the basin plan, like floodplain harvesting, poor metering practices and water theft.”

Ms Cupper said the Commonwealth Government’s decision to focus the inspector-general on water sharing arrangements was a cynical move to protect the NSW Coalition Government.

“Having the inspector-general looking at water sharing arrangements instead of compliance is a political decision,” she said.

“Mr Keelty is a compliance expert, not a scientist, but The Nationals know that if he is tasked with addressing non-compliance, then all eyes will be on the northern basin.

“According to objective evidence, that’s where the worst mismanagement and corruption has occurred, by some of the Nats’ closest allies.

“Irrigators in my electorate do the right thing — they expect and deserve other irrigators across the basin to do the same.”