Nick Xenophon (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Hansard source

I will be as brief as I can. I thank Senator Di Natale for his questions. Firstly, in relation to water, I remind Senator Di Natale—he was not here at the time—that in February 2009 I secured a commitment from the Rudd government, after some considerable negotiation—it was a very long night on 12 or 13 February 2009—of almost $1 billion for the River Murray. There was $500 million in water buybacks, $200 million for stormwater recycling, which has impacts in urban areas and regional areas as well, and $200 million for river communities, as well as enhanced irrigation exit packages. That was hard-fought, and I do not think anyone could question the enormous benefits to river communities and to the environment of that biggest amount of water buyback. That is something that met with a lot of resistance at the time, but I got it through and it was done with absolute goodwill with the then Rudd government and with the support of the Australian Greens as well.

The position is this: the package, the plan, has been confirmed in terms of commitments by Prime Minister Turnbull to Premier Weatherill. The COAG process is important, as is the estimates process, but it is important to understand that my colleagues Rebekha Sharkie MP, the member for Mayo, who is absolutely passionate about the health of the river because her electorate encompasses the Lower Lakes, the lungs of the system, where it is so important to have decent water flows, as well as Senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore and Senator Stirling Griff are absolutely committed to and passionate about the health of the river system. So, in relation to this, I am satisfied with the correspondence between the Prime Minister and Premier Weatherill about the commitments made and about the processes put in place. I am satisfied that this is a reset, with first ministers—the Prime Minister and premiers—involved in this process.

Senator Cameron interjecting—

Senator Cameron, stop being so rude. I listened to you in silence. I just want to get on with this and answer the question, in fairness to Senator Di Natale.

My position has not changed; our position has not changed. We now have a process in place to ensure that these water efficiency measures can be carried out and that the money is spent. I am satisfied with this and I am also satisfied as a result of my discussions with the South Australian government. South Australia is the basin state that is particularly vulnerable to any drought, because we are at the end of the river system, and we know from great environmentalists and from those who are passionate about water, such as Professor Mike Young at the University of Adelaide, that great river systems die from the mouth up. To me, this was an important measure that was announced today. Of course, you cannot turn on the tap for 450 gigalitres instantly. That needs to be done by ensuring that there is a process of accountability in respect of this. I do not say this lightly to Senator Di Natale: we will be monitoring this, we will want to see the progress and the government is aware of how important this is to us—to my colleagues here in the Senate and to Rebekha Sharkie MP.

In relation to the issue of protection of local jobs, that amendment has not yet been moved. I do want to speak to it because I do want to ask Senator Cormann to table some documents in relation to the issue of procurement. I am very grateful to Senator Di Natale for raising that question. I also pay tribute to the work that Senator Rhiannon has done on the issue of procurement and local jobs.

At the moment, I understand that before us is an amendment in respect of reversal of onus of proof. I do want to have an opportunity to discuss issues of procurement, either when we are discussing Senator Rhiannon's amendment or at an earlier time, because I do want to ask Senator Cormann for documents to be tabled. I have even made a few copies myself here to make it easier for my colleagues both in the crossbench and in the opposition to get access to those documents about some very important changes to procurements that I think will make a very real difference to Australian jobs. I hope that has answered the questions satisfactorily for now, and I hope we can move to vote on the amendment that I have cosponsored with Senators Leyonhjelm and Hinch.