Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

In fact, I'll take the interjection from the other side, as Senator O'Sullivan has mentioned. The plan that we have delivered on is the plan that was agreed to by the former Labor government—but it has been delivered under this government.

The South Australian government did commission a royal commission on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. They have produced a detailed report which the government is reviewing. We have committed to ensure that the best available science is used in developing and implementing the Basin Plan. We are committed to making sure we work with state and territory governments to deliver better outcomes for all Australians who live in the Murray-Darling or rely on the Murray-Darling.

That's why last year the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Minister Littleproud, worked with his state and territory colleagues and got them to sign off on 14 December on a plan to implement the Basin Plan. That plan includes assurances that additional water recovered for the environment won't hurt the social or economic basis of towns and communities, because we care about the environment, Senator Hanson-Young—through you, Mr President—but we also care about people as well. We care about people, we care about their communities and we want to make sure they all have a sustainable future here in this country producing the food they do for all of us.