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

The government is aware that this is a difficult issue. We understand. I understand personally. I've been the water minister, and I've travelled a lot through the basin. I understand that this is a really challenging issue for many communities, but, as I've said to them, I'm not going to be one of those politicians that turn up and pretend that things can go on as they were, because they can't. I know that Mr Joyce and the National Party want to keep telling people that nothing needs to change, but we know that is not the case. The choice is that either you are upfront with people about what needs to happen or you keep pretending to them that nothing needs to change, and we know that's not true.

The government will put in place appropriate structural adjustment. The government will put in place appropriate consultation. But I do say to you again: let's not pretend after so many years that things can go on without any change. (Time expired)