Bob Katter (Kennedy, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

My question without notice is to the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Is the minister aware that the Gulf Country has 131 million megalitres of water whilst all the rest of Australia put together has only 255 million megalitres? Since half of Australia’s food is produced in the Murray-Darling with only 22 million megalitres, would the minister not agree that, with Australia becoming a net importer of food within six years, it is imperative to make a start on the proposed microresource development program for the designated five gulf and mid-west towns? These projects, whilst small, nevertheless will each create an extra 100 jobs and double the size of four of these towns. Finally, could the minister assure the House that the program’s interdepartmental task force, promised to be set up in 2010—

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