Water Minister Tony Burke is resorting to taxpayer funded advertising as he tries to have it both ways on the Murray-Darling Basin reform consultation process, Coalition Basin spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. “On the one hand, Mr Burke is avoiding stakeholder passions at Basin-wide consultation sessions by saying he doesn’t want to be…
DetailsWater Minister Tony Burke must front up and attend some of the Community Information Sessions being conducted by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority into its Guide to the proposed Basin Plan. More than 600 concerned and passionate locals attended the first of these sessions in Shepparton today, expressing their frustrations at the proposals within…
DetailsCoalition Murray-Darling Basin spokesman Simon Birmingham is in Shepparton today to witness firsthand the start of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s consultation on its Guide to the proposed Basin Plan. “It is critically important that we get Basin reform right for the environment, for our ongoing productive capacity and for the communities relying on…
DetailsCommunities throughout the Murray-Darling Basin have been suffering throughout years of drought, while this iconic river system has suffered through not only drought, but mismanagement. If we are to get a plan that deals with the three critical issues of, the economy, peoples’ lives as identified in the social fabric of the basin,…
DetailsThe Gillard Labor Government must rule out slashing investment in water saving infrastructure projects, the Coalition’s Murray-Darling Basin spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. It’s been revealed today that the Government is considering “redirecting” significant funds from water saving infrastructure projects. “When Julia Gillard promised more money for water buybacks during the election…
DetailsAnother damning indictment of the Government’s management of environmental programs has been released today, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment Simon Birmingham said today. The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) today released* its Performance Audit Report into Labor’s failed $300 million Green Loans Program. “The ANAO has confirmed the systemic problems already…
DetailsNewly appointed Water Minister Tony Burke will be judged by his deeds rather than more words such as those offered today, Coalition Murray-Darling Basin spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. Mr Burke has today signalled a shift by Labor towards the Coalition’s position of understanding and addressing the impacts on Basin communities of water…
DetailsA Julia Gillard election promise on stormwater harvesting has been exposed as hollow, with the South Australian Government today confirming it won’t make a contribution, Coalition Murray-Darling Basin spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. During the election campaign, Prime Minister Gillard announced her Government would provide up to $10 million for the Waterproofing Eastern…
DetailsJulia Gillard’s re-allocation of portfolios has exposed the hypocrisy of Labor’s election campaigning on the Murray Darling Basin, Coalition Basin spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. Under the new arrangements, South Australian Senator Penny Wong will no longer be Water Minister, a role to be taken by Sydney’s Tony Burke. Senator Wong’s South…
DetailsMurray Darling inflows are welcome, but should not lull the Gillard Government into complacency over the need for reform in the Basin, Coalition Murray Darling Basin spokesman Simon Birmingham said today. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s River Murray Weekly Report issued today confirms that Despite major flooding in some Victorian tributaries, impacts in the…
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