Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

No, I stand by this report and the process, but it is not government policy. It is a process that we put out there to engage with the public. People think that the government will compulsorily acquire their water. We would not. We only purchase from willing sellers. This is the kind of misinformation that you are putting out there.

During the election campaign, for example, Tony Abbott, Barnaby Joyce and Simon Birmingham announced that the coalition will release the draft basin plan within two weeks of coming to office and proceed with its implementation without delay. So who are you to talk about what is proper process here? We are not rushing into anything. We are allowing the water authority to conduct its consultations over the next 12 months. It is about getting the balance plan right and it is about working to restore the river system to health. Importantly, it is about protecting food production and supporting strong regional communities. What else have we had to talk about today? (Time expired)