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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-09-23 Daily Xml
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MATTERS OF INTEREST

WATER SECURITY

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (15:53): I rise to speak about the important issue of water, which has caused quite a bit of grief for South Australians, in particular those living in regional communities. With the 2010 election at the forefront of the minds of those opposite, it is evident that they are trying to paint the Labor government as failing to act to help our irrigators and secure water for this state.

Many regional businesses are struggling to meet the challenges of climate change and water security. Our government has been providing exceptional circumstances assistance to many of these people, in part to demonstrate our concern for river communities and businesses. We are also fortunate to have a willing partner in the federal government working with us to improve conditions in the Murray-Darling Basin and assist our nation's river communities. It has facilitated and funded action by the Murray-Darling Basin states to improve water management.

The Australian government's $12.9 billion Water for the Future program works in conjunction with our government's Water for Good program to fund programs that will deliver water security for all South Australians.

Nearly a year ago in this chamber, I spoke on the Water (Commonwealth Powers) Bill, and I said that there would be no 'quick fix' to the problems of water security. Twelve years of the Howard government's inaction on water and climate change denial meant that water management in this country did not receive the policy attention or the funding it needed.

People should be very wary of an opposition that promises a quick fix to water security, after 12 years of the Howard government failing to address the issue. The Liberal's slow pace of tackling over-allocations and acknowledging climate change means that this government must now fix the Liberal's legacy of water insecurity.

The Leader of the Opposition recently demonstrated her failure not only to understand water trade policy but fiscal responsibility. The Leader of the Opposition proposed that the state government underwrite irrigators' allocations. This is equivalent to writing out blank cheques from the bank of false hope. In an irresponsible attempt to garner—

The Hon. C.V. Schaefer interjecting:

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY: You've woken up? Thank God for that. It is the first time I have heard an objection. Well done! This is equivalent to a blank cheque from the bank of false hope. In an irresponsible attempt to garner electoral support, she is proposing to pour fiscal responsibility down the drain during the worst global economic conditions since the Great Depression and in an environment of escalating water prices.

A promise to write a blank cheque for irrigator water, without consideration of the economic conditions of the day, is the sign of an electorally motivated party that will put populist rhetoric before responsible economic management. These irresponsible proposals come after a mind-boggling history of Liberal inaction on the River Murray. Riverland voters should be very wary of the Liberal Party's election promises.

Labor is reducing the strain on the Murray by using evidence-based water management. We cost our policies and spend responsibly so that we can avoid putting too much pressure on water prices. Our government has also stepped in to negotiate the purchase of water licences from those who were unsuccessful in selling to the over-subscribed federal government program. These water licence buyback programs offer a much needed option for people in distress looking to exit their properties with dignity because they can no longer afford to purchase enough water to run a successful business. With Labor's demonstrated commitment to investing in water security for the future, as well as providing—

Time expired.

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