Tony Burke must front up

  Water 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…

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Labor must rule out slashing water saving infrastructure

  The 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…

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Another Parliament, another report damns the Government

  Another 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…

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Deeds, not words, will count, Minister

  Newly 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…

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Gillard election promise exposed as worthless

  A 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…

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Labor’s hypocrisy on Murray Darling

  Julia 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…

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Rains welcome, but Basin reform remains a priority

  Murray 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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