Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

If I may briefly on behalf of the opposition indicate to the Senate that my South Australian colleagues—my leader, Senator Minchin; you, Mr Chairman; and Senators Bernardi, Fisher and Birmingham—want to be associated with those comments. They fully agree with Senator Xenophon on the critical importance of the Murray-Darling Basin. They are also frustrated at the inaction in relation to the Murray-Darling Basin, noting that there was a $10 billion funding plan that has still not been properly activated. However, it is the coalition’s view that this package, in total, is fatally flawed. Tacking something good onto it does not overcome the fatal flaws of the package, and as a result we would be minded not to support it, albeit that we would not pursue a division on it of necessity.

My South Australian colleagues share the compelling concerns of all South Australians about the needs of the river, the Lower Lakes and especially those irrigation communities in the Riverland and elsewhere, who feel the brunt of the economic and human pain caused by the crisis in the river. With that I indicate a complete agreement with and acknowledgement of Senator Xenophon in his views about the urgency and importance of the Murray-Darling being attended to. I think some of the suggestions he has made are worthy of consideration but at the end of the day we are still opposed to the totality of the figure of this package because of the huge debt burden that will be placed on future Australians. However, we will be very supportive of sensible and considered action in relation to the Murray-Darling in the future, and I can ensure senators and the South Australian community that my South Australian senate colleagues will make especially sure of that.