THE Greens say other political parties have refused to support their call to reinstate the moratorium on floodplain harvesting and water pumping.
Greens spokesperson for water Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the Coalition, Labor and One Nation allowed New South Wales to get away with floodplain harvesting and the Federal Parliament could not wipe its hands of this issue.
“The NSW 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.”
Senator Hanson-Young said it was worrying the moratorium had been lifted after lobbying from large irrigators upstream.
She said reports surrounding the decision raised 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,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“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.”
