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

My question is to Minister Wong, representing both the Prime Minister and the Minister for the Environment and Water. Four hundred and fifty gigalitres of water was promised under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan for South Australia and the environment, but the Liberal and National parties have monumentally stuffed up the delivery of this water, at the expense of taxpayers and the health of the river. In the election campaign, the Albanese government promised and committed to delivering the 450 on time and in full. Is this still your government's commitment?

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

I thank Senator Hanson-Young for the question. I think one thing that we can all say is that every South Australian in this chamber should—and certainly those on this side of the chamber, and I include you in that—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

I'm sorry?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Wong, address your comments to the chair please.

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

I am a senator for South Australia, and so is Senator Hanson-Young. I apologise for the Constitution, Senator! But the reality is this: the Minister for the Environment and Water tabled the second Review of the Water for the Environment Special Account report and, just like the member for Hume, who hid a price rise for electricity, this was also hidden to the Australian people before the election. You know why? It was because what it showed was the decade of sabotage that those opposite have engaged in when it comes to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

They promised 450 gigs. You know how many they delivered? Two out of 450! We know why: they never wanted to deliver it. They never wanted to deliver it, and we know that because the National Party are still saying that and came into the chamber, whilst in government, and tried to blow up the Murray-Darling plan.

I invite Senator Birmingham, as the most senior South Australian, to rein in—

I will get to it—to rein in those on that side who continue to want to sabotage this important reform.

We have made clear that Labor is committed to delivering the basin plan in full. It's what we signed up for. The minister has made it clear that that remains the approach. But I would say this: it has become a great deal harder now that it has been disclosed that you delivered two out of 450. Why did they think it was okay to hide that before the election? I'm not surprised you take a point of order.

Perin Davey (NSW, National Party, Shadow Minister for Water) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise on a point of order. Senator Wong is actually misleading the chamber with her claims that only two gigalitres were recovered when 23.3 gigalitres was—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is a debating point, thank you. Senator Davey, please resume your seat.

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

The environment report makes it clear that two out of 450 was delivered.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson-Young, first supplementary?

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

I note that the minister did not answer the question about being on time. Given the legal requirement to deliver the 450 and given the promise to South Australians, what is the government's plan to make sure that 450 gigalitres is delivered, is used to save the river and is not stolen by those upstream?

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

I again hear the interjections from the National Party. We wonder why the coalition never delivered on this. I remember, when I was water minister and I bought a lot of water, how angry they were that we actually bought water for the environment from willing sellers. Oh my goodness! Isn't it dreadful to use the market to deliver an environmental and social outcome! It's a dreadful thing, isn't it?

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I am unable to hear Senator Wong's response. Please remain quiet and show courtesy.

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

The Minister for the Environment and Water confirmed yesterday she has written to and is speaking to basin water ministers because, obviously, we have to work with the states in order to deliver this. Minister Plibersek has also tasked her department to consult widely on creative and collaborative approaches on how we can deliver the plan in full. I say this: nothing is off the table, including voluntary buybacks, because it is clear that the approach that was taken on the other side did not work. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson-Young, second supplementary?

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

I'm very pleased to hear that voluntary buybacks are on the table because it is clear from the government's own report that this is the only way 450 gigalitres will be returned to the river. Will the government commit to working with South Australia, the South Australian government and the South Australian people to make sure it is delivered?

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

Thank you to Senator Hanson-Young for her question. I might pick up two parts of her question. She talks about the need to change the policy settings effectively, and she's right.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

The report commissioned by your government, which you hid prior to the election, says these targets cannot be met under the settings you put in place. You can't meet them under the settings you put in place. It is the easiest thing, isn't it, for a politician to go upstream and downstream and say different things to different communities and pretend they're going to do something. At least tell people the truth. I accept you don't agree. I accept you don't agree with our position—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Henderson?

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I draw to your attention the need for Senator Wong to direct her comments through the chair.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Henderson. I would also draw to the chamber's attention the general disorderly conduct in here. I would ask all senators to be courteous to one another, and I remind senators that comments are directed to the chair. Senator Wong, please continue.

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

That is fair enough; I do like to respond to the misinformation provided by the National Party and I shouldn't take the bait, because they've been doing it for years. They've been pretending for years.

The report indicates there are not enough off-farm projects to reach the 450 gigs even with unlimited time and money. So clearly a different approach has to be taken. (Time expired)