Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

It's the policy that matters, and the policy of the government is clear in terms of its continued support of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, to be implemented cognisant of all the matters that have been discussed by the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council over the years. Those who pretend that the settlement of the Basin Plan by then Minister Burke was simply a binary, straightforward affair are ignoring the fact that, at the time, considerations were given to ensuring that water recovery—particularly in relation to the so-called up-water, as it was described at the time—was to be undertaken and must be undertaken in ways that are mindful of the social and economic impacts of such recovery. They've always been important points. They remain important points in terms of ensuring that the Basin Plan is implemented in a way that is respectful and effective for all the communities who rely upon the river system. (Time expired)