Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hanson for her question, which provides an opportunity to correct some of the misunderstandings that Senator Hanson clearly has, given the question that was asked.

Senator Hanson made the statement that water flowing out of the mouth of the river is wasted, whereas, in fact, all of the science would clearly indicate that water flowing out of the mouth of a river system is indeed important to the health of that river system, to the discharge of nutrients and to the overall quality of water within that system—and, of course, in terms of the native fish, wildlife et cetera throughout the river system.

The Murray-Darling Basin Plan has been based on and informed by extensive scientific research and analysis, as well as by extensive economic modelling and analysis, to seek to reach a position that has allowed us to develop a plan that ought to be implemented in full and that ought not to be politicised in this place. We developed a plan that allows us to have confidence that the entire Murray-Darling Basin will have as healthy a river system as possible for the long term. Whether it is through the northern basin, which is often disconnected to parts of the south in times of low inflows, or through the southern basin, we have confidence not only that are we extracting what is sustainable to grow our food, fibre and produce, and to sustain our farmers up and down the system, but that we are ensuring that it is sustainable, year in and year out, in terms of the allocation of water that is available by that to make sure that we have healthy river communities.

Sadly, the actions of the Senate last night put that plan in some jeopardy, and that jeopardises all of the river communities. It creates uncertainty for them up and down the length of the river system. Creating that uncertainty, of course, will harm investment and jobs. The best thing we can do is get the plan back on track.