David Van (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to share the profound effect that a recent visit to Echuca and along the Murray River and its surrounds had on me. During a small-plane flight over the area, I witnessed firsthand the flood plain that is that landscape. The floods of 2022 and 2023 submerged that area, but it stayed submerged because there was more and more water being pushed down the Murray. The waters remained, with no path to retreat. Yet there are voices calling for more water to be sent down that river. From above, the site is devastated. Hectares of land remain underwater. The beautiful towering red gums are dying or dead. Our cherished fauna, including koalas, platypus and wombats, can't live there. It's underwater. Their sanctuaries are submerged and the banks eroded. This is not to mention the impact on our communities, with many families still displaced.

To solve the environmental issues with the Murray-Darling Basin, we need a solution to effectively address the dichotomy of our river systems. The Darling is parched and the Murray is overwhelmed. Both rivers are suffering from mismanagement, killing the ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Farmers are doing everything they can to farm sustainably.

Hon. Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Dorinda Cox (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senators, can I please remind people that two-minute statements are still occurring. Just keep the chatter down. Sorry, Senator Van. Please continue.

David Van (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The simplistic 'just add water' approach of the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Bill 2023 is not the answer. We need to be working hand in hand with people who farm our land and waterways. We need to listen to their solutions, not rely on city based modelling to determine the future of our food crops and farming communities.