Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 March 2020:

The deal struck between the Federal Government and the South Australian Government for 100GL of Murray-Darling River water to be cut from South Australia's allocation, and the Commonwealth to fund the increased use of the State's desalination plant to instead provide the same amount of water to the State, with particular reference to:

(a) the consequences for the river system of taking 100GL plus conveyance water from downstream flows;

(b) the mechanisms for ensuring that the water that South Australia is forgoing is actually delivered as intended, such as to small farmers to grow fodder;

(c) the checks and transparency measures to ensure the program is not rorted or exploited;

(d) whether the 100GL could have been delivered to New South Wales and Victorian farmers by a means other than reducing South Australia's allocation, and whether that would have been more cost-effective;

(e) the South Australian-commissioned desalination feasibility report;

(f) whether $88.4 million to help offset costs of running the South Australian desalination plant is the most efficient and cost-effective measure to help farmers feed their stock;

(g) legal provisions that allow Commonwealth and state governments to buy and sell water outside the provisions of the Water Act 2007; and

(h) any other related matters.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government is committed to providing support to drought affected farmers and communities. The water-for-fodder program and the agreement struck with the South Australian government will assist farmers in the southern Murray-Darling Basin to grow fodder and pasture to support livestock. The details of the agreement with South Australia will be released publicly and will be subject to a project agreement setting out the terms and conditions prior to the program being formally opened. An inquiry is unnecessary and premature, noting that full details of the agreement and program delivery will be released shortly.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Labor won't be supporting this motion. We think the issues are important for South Australia and the many other basin and regional communities this package involves. The scope of the reference is far too narrow. We believe there will be opportunities to look at these issues in the context of the entire package in a far more comprehensive manner, not just those issues raised in this motion.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that notice of motion No. 5 be agreed to.