Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable member for his question. I well understand that, like all residents of south-east Queensland, he has very great concern about growing water scarcity. The Water Services Association’s latest report reminded us of the grave challenge that urban centres face in terms of water provision. Around Australia, with the sole and honourable exception of Perth, large cities have neglected their water infrastructure for many decades and, as a consequence, with growing population, greater demands on water supply, lower levels of rainfall and, in particular, lower levels of run-off, we have had the inevitable consequence of severe water shortages.

When a small country town runs out of water—and we are all familiar with those that have done so and no doubt are doing so now—often it is possible to truck water in as an emergency measure. But, when a city of millions of people runs out of water, it is nothing short of a catastrophe. And that is the situation that some of our major cities could face. It is certainly the situation that Brisbane could face.

The Leader of the Opposition spoke a moment ago about the title ‘the greatest’. Let me say this: he has made the greatest contribution to south-east Queensland’s water scarcity. He is the drought-bringer. He delivered that. He had an opportunity to deliver—

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