[Greens-Media] Government Must Face Up to Drying Climate

[Ludlam, Scott (Sen R. Siewert)]

Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Senator for WA
26 September 2006

Government Must Face Up to Drying Climate 


Greens spokesperson on water Senator Rachel Siewert said today that
unless Governments start to take the drying of Australia's climate
seriously, Australia's water crisis would continue.

"An Office of Water Resources won't solve our water crisis unless the
Government is prepared to properly plan for climate change and face the
hard issues on over-allocation in a drying environment.

"It is likely that this announcement is timed as the latest drought
figures are due for release this week - figures which show continuation
of the drought and increase in temperatures.

"Crop figures last week showed significant decline in crop yields around
Australia with Western Australia particularly hard hit in the northern
wheatbelt and mid west regions.

"The Government has to stop playing politics with water. In the case of
Toowoomba this lead to a debacle when the referendum rejected a
recycling plant but has now left the city without a solution to its
on-going water problems."

"If this is going to be the way the Government intends to handle the
water issue - I have little hope for the future" said Senator Siewert.


For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025 Email
senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  |  http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au