Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

If those in this chamber need a reminder of why this plan is necessary, let's go back to one of the leaders during the millennium drought, who said: 'The old way of managing the basin has reached its use-by date. We need to confront head on and in a comprehensive way the overallocation of water in the Murray-Darling.' That was John Howard. So there are some on that side who do understand that the National Party position on this, which is now determining Mr Dutton's position, is an irrational position.

I saw that the member for Sturt told the Australian today that the 450 gigs of environmental water should be delivered, including through voluntary water purchase. Senator McLachlan also said it was 'imperative that we prioritise the welfare of our natural world' by securing this water. These are good comments. I am surprised at the silence from senior South Australian Liberals Senator Birmingham and Senator Ruston on the importance of the 450 gigs to their state.