Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I move Greens amendment (3) on sheet 5629:

(3)    Schedule 2, page 293 (after line 7), after item 45, insert:

45B  After paragraph 20(b)

Insert:

           (ba)    measures which ensure that flows are sufficient and regular enough to maintain essential ecosystem functions throughout the Basin and that the effects of diverting water in one part of the Basin on all other parts of the Basin are fully accounted for;

This is an amendment to ensure that the Basin Plan also provides for maintaining ecosystems. The measure ensures that flows are sufficient and regular enough to maintain essential ecosystem functions throughout the basin and that the effects on all parts of the basin of diverting water in one part of the basin are fully accounted for. We believe this enhances the role of the Basin Plan. I think it actually fits in quite nicely with the amendment that Senator Xenophon has just successfully moved to ensure that the authority takes a whole-of-basin approach to managing water resources. This is specifically aimed at ensuring that there are sufficient and regular flows to maintain essential ecosystem functions. By moving this amendment, we are trying to ensure the maintenance of the entire ecosystem and that its functions are protected and are provided with minimum flows of water through the basin. Again, I remind the chamber that the amendment is a result of recommendations from scientists who think that the act does not necessarily ensure that the whole of the system is looked after. As I said, I think this complements very well the amendment that has just passed by ensuring that those minimum flows are provided to ensure ecosystem health.