District politicians have taken aim at a Federal Government-funded campaign attempting to justify what they describe as the destructive water buybacks legislated by the Albanese Government.
Both NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton and Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell say the campaign — airing on television — uses emotive language and doomsday scenarios to attempt to justify the government’s plan to harm regional communities through water buybacks as part of the new Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
“This advertisement is simplistic, deluded, misleading, partisan and intends to justify the destruction of agriculture in Australia,” Mr Birrell said.
“This advertising campaign smacks of a partisan political advertisement, not the work of a body that should be focused on science.
“It’s sad that an organisation that once did have some credibility is now conducting itself in this way.”
Mr Birrell said the advertisement was “offensive” to regional communities that would be impacted by buybacks.
“Labor’s new plan for water will increase costs for producers and manufacturers, impact jobs and the economic prosperity of Murray-Darling Basin communities,” Mr Birrell said.
“Murray-Darling Basin communities grow fresh, clean food for Australia and the world, which drives economic growth for our nation.
“Instead of celebrating the regions, this Labor Government continues to make it harder for regional and rural Australians to do what they do best.”
Mrs Dalton said the campaign was a case of the government “spending your taxpayer money on television ads to spread lies about the management of the Murray-Darling Basin”.
Mrs Dalton said the buybacks would be particularly harmful.
“Rather than destroying regional communities, the Albanese Government should be helping communities to survive by making sure they have the water they need to survive and flourish,” she said.
“These buybacks were always an appalling idea, and they never should have been pursued.”