Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

and do so in a way that does not, in a manner which presumably Senator Brown would have, destroy the communities and the industries that have been built up over 200 years and are dependent on those extractions. Senator Brown has the luxury of just pontificating from the sidelines with only one interest in mind. Governments and responsible parliamentarians must take account of the very diverse interests involved in this. It took us years to negotiate the corporatisation in such a way as to achieve that balance and make real breakthroughs in environmental flows for the Snowy, the Murray and the Murrumbidgee rivers. We as a government are very proud of what we have achieved. We are going to continue to ensure that we maximise our capacity to invest in restoring the health of the Murray.

I am happy to agree with Senator Brown that it is a magnificent experience to fly from Adelaide to Hobart. The Coorong is one of Australia’s great natural treasures. What has happened to that area because of 200 years of development of the Murray, in ignorance of the environmental consequences, is tragic. Our government are committed to doing as much as we possibly can to ensure the restitution of this great river system. In so doing, I seek the Senate’s support for the motion standing in my name.

Question put:

That the amendment (Senator Sherry’s) be agreed to.