Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. I just find it quite unbelievable that you have a committee set up to administer much-needed drought relief but they don't have to have climate scientists in their ranks and you've paid no attention to the distribution of existing water allocations and the billions of litres of free water that have been overallocated to fossil fuel companies when you're trying to make decisions about the drought. So you'll forgive us for a little bit of cynicism here.

I might point out that this is not our political position; this is actually what the science is saying. So, by all means, take umbrage at our political perspective, but it is incredibly disheartening when this government continues to have such a tin ear to science. These scientists are not political activists; they're not simply seeking more research funding; they are crying out to be heard. And you've got a drought body that doesn't even have to have a climate scientist on it and that hasn't looked at the distribution of water allocations which, in fact, is exacerbating the drought—the very thing that you're purporting to relieve with this funding body. So we remain incredulous at the poor structures that you are establishing and the continued refusal to listen to the science.

I'm afraid I don't have a question. I'm gobsmacked.