Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The point of describing the legislation, and what the Murray-Darling Basin Authority does, is to indicate how the authority is working and where the plan comes in. What has been published is a guide. It is subject to consultation. Then the Murray-Darling Basin Authority will publish a draft plan. It will be the subject of consultation. Then, of course, the minister will sign off a plan and bring it to this parliament. I am determined that, as we work through those stages, as we get to a final plan, the plan is implemented—because that will get the balance right between the environmental needs of the river, the needs of farmers and food producers and the needs of regional communities.

I would counsel the Leader of the Opposition in the following terms. I understand this is difficult reform. I understand that it has inflamed community passion. But it is not in anybody’s interests—not in the interests of any Australian, any farmer, any regional community—for the Leader of the Opposition to use his status to wreck this process. This is a process—

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