Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The very simple and straightforward answer is no, as my colleague suggests. But I understand and this government understands the high level of anxiety and emotion in communities in the Murray-Darling Basin. What is being released is a guide for a draft plan by the independent Murray-Darling Basin Authority. It is not a proposal from the government. We have announced a parliamentary inquiry into the socioeconomic impact of the proposed cuts to water allocations in the MDB. The inquiry will have a strong focus on understanding the human impact of any proposed changes, and Minister Burke has sought and tabled legal advice from the Australian Government Solicitor on dealing with social and economic issues under the Water Act 2007. (Time expired)