Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell says the Federal Government has set a course for “economic vandalism” in the region by funding destructive water buybacks in the budget.
Last month’s budget had an unspecified sum set aside to help meet water-saving targets that the last Labor government put in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in 2012, where 450 gigalitres were allocated to be returned to the environment.
Since then, only 2Gl of that 450Gl target has been returned to the environment, and in 2018 state and federal water ministers agreed to a strict criteria to stop buybacks in areas where it would cause economic or social harm.
On a visit to flood-impacted towns in Nicholls on Thursday, Mr Birrell and Nationals leader David Littleproud said water buybacks would compound the problems for communities already facing a long rebuild.
“Uncertainty in basin communities has been overlaid with secrecy in Labor’s budget, which lists the cost of water commitments as “not for publication” due to commercial sensitivities,” Mr Birrell said.
“Using water buybacks to take an extra 450Gl from irrigators will rip the heart out of communities — it isn’t only the water that is lost but productivity, jobs, people and services.
“Buybacks erode the economic base of towns and rural communities; buybacks shouldn’t even be a last resort.”
Mr Birrell said Water Minister Tanya Plibersek held the inner-city seat of Sydney where restaurants were a large part of the economy.
“What would happen if those restaurants were told the government is buying back tables and chairs, and in future they have to operate with 30 per cent less capacity? There would be an outcry,” Mr Birrell said.
Mr Littleproud said Labor was turning its back on regional and rural areas.
“Labor is ignoring communities who have done the heavy lifting,” he said.
“That’s why I am visiting Nicholls today — to hear first-hand about how water buybacks will impact and damage the area.”
Mr Birrell said the Federal Government had flagged its intent to complete the Murray Darling Basin Plan, with no regard for the damage that could be caused.
“It is nothing short of economic vandalism and demonstrates that Labor is out of its depth on water policy,” Mr Birrell said.