[Greens-Media] Mr Howard needs to do more than Pray

[Ludlam, Scott (Sen R. Siewert)]

Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Senator for WA
Friday, 20 April 2007


"Mr Howard needs to do more than Pray"

"Mr Howard and the coalition need to more than just pray for rain to
save the Murray Darling basin," said Senator Siewert, Australian Greens
spokesperson for water resources.  "Cross your fingers and pray for rain
has been the government's approach for far too long".

"The government has to get realistic about the future of the Murray.  It
is over allocated and needs fixing.   The reality is that the government
and community have to face the prospect of restructure and the potential
of compulsory licence acquisition." 

"The government knew last year that water was running out.  The Murray
Darling basin commission told the Senate and the government in October
that if it does not rain storages would be empty by April or May this
year" she said.

"Why wait until now to say no more water as if it is some big surprise -
was their strategy then to pray for rain?" said Senator Siewert.

"In the last budget the Treasurer failed to identify water security as a
risk to the economy, further evidence of the government's inability to
understand and deal with this crisis," commented 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