Murray Darling Basin Plan now a complete shambles
7th December, 2010
The resignation today of Murray Darling Basin Authority chairman Mike Taylor leaves the Federal Government's plan for the Basin in total disarray. There must now be a “back to basics” reconsideration of the very foundations of the plan.This is yet another policy disaster that is purely of the Government's making, said Nationals' Leader, Warren Truss.
"The MDBA has clearly developed a plan on the basis that environmental issues must be given priority over all other issues, most obviously social and economic," Mr Truss said.
"They say their legal advice confirms that the environmental needs to the Basin must be met first, and only after that can other issues be considered.
"Yet the Government says its legal advice requires equal weight for social, economic and environmental factors - the triple bottom line we all want.
"This disparity of views leaves the plan in limbo. It is obvious that the guide to the draft plan - that is being promoted to beleaguered Basin communities right now - has been developed with the environment in mind. Not people, jobs, food and fibre.
"It is now clear that the very legal basis for the guide is under question.
"The clear and fundamental differences between the Government and the MDBA must be resolved before another step is taken. It will be completely pointless to pursue the draft plan for another two years if in the end it will be overturned in the courts.
"Mr Taylor, a decent and honourable man, has been made the fall guy for the Government's incompetence.
“It is important that Mr Taylor’s replacement be someone who has a good understanding of Basin issues and communities. The risk to the economic base of two million Australians and indeed the nation as a whole is too great," Mr Truss said.
