It's often said that reform isn’t easy, and that is absolutely right. Reforming the Murray-Darling Basin is testament to this. It won’t be easy to restore the river to health at the same time as ensuring strong river communities and retaining the Basin as Australia’s food bowl. But getting Murray-Darling Basin reform right is essential for the future of our country.

That’s why I’m so worried. The Gillard Government, like is so often the case with Labor, is panicking.  Somehow they didn’t think that delivering a report calling for large cuts in water entitlements without outlining how those cuts would be achieved, without outlining how they would help ease the pain and with only the flimsiest, almost laughable, predictions of economic impacts would stir anger in Basin communities and across the country.

The Government, flat footed and bewildered by the outcry, has reverted to Rudd-style – A Review! Another review – but not by experts like the Productivity Commission, but by a new Parliamentary Committee. It’s like Kevin was never knifed…

As so often has proven to be the case with this Government, it didn’t have to be like this. If Penny Wong hadn’t spent her three years as Water Minister trying to wedge and divide the Coalition on Basin reform and instead focused her energy on delivering water-saving infrastructure projects and on-farm efficiency upgrades we would be in a much better position.

The Coalition set aside nearly $6 billion to re-plumb the system. The Government has spent just $300 million and, obviously, is far behind schedule. These works could have returned water to the system and on-farm efficiency works would have allowed our farmers to produce more with less water.  There are billions of litres of water savings and efficiencies across the Basin. Every drop of water saved is a drop of water that doesn’t need to be bought out of production. We could have been well on our way to meeting the required sustainable diversion limits.

The cost of re-plumbing the basin pales compared to that of the NBN and its benefits shine compared to the billions wasted on pink batts and school-hall rip-offs. Imagine if this Government showed the same fervour towards upgrading the Basin as it does rolling fibre cables down every street at a cost approaching $6000 per house. One wonders if the Government will be stringing up fibre in Basin communities, while on-farm efficiency upgrades that might save these communities go begging.

$43 billion would go an awful long way in upgrading Australia’s water infrastructure and would secure our food production for decades to come. I’m not suggesting this would require $43 billion – far from it, but the contrast in expenditures is stunning, and unfortunately, shows the regard Labor has for Basin communities.

The Government likes to trumpet loudly its “success” – and I use that term very loosely – in dumping on schools cookie cut out school halls at stunningly over inflated prices. While, granted, $billions were wasted and many schools got buildings they didn’t want or need, the Government showed a commitment to actually doing something. Again, a stunning contrast to the delay, deferral and buck passing that has been a hallmark of their approach to water infrastructure.

Water reform is too important for the Government to back away from now. If they are to achieve the outcome we need, they must bring Basin communities with them. The way to do that is clear – invest in infrastructure to ensure regional communities have a strong, vibrant future. The time for action is now.

I welcome your feedback and comments.