[Greens-Media] Give it some teeth: Greens call for truly independent water authority

[Clark, Gemma (Sen S. Hanson-Young)]

Monday 4 August 2008

Give it some teeth: Greens call for truly independent water authority

Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young has said there
must be a truly independent water authority for the Murray-Darling to
have a chance at being restored. 

"Under the current model, State Premiers can veto the decisions of this
supposed 'authority'," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"Unless we have a genuinely independent national water authority, that
actually has teeth to enforce its rulings, the river will die.

"The present situation is a mess of bureaucracy and buck-passing.

"Prime Minister Rudd must take leadership on the issue and facilitate a
properly national approach to fixing this disaster."

The Greens are backing scientists' calls for new water to be released
into the river system by October, in order to restore environmental
flows to the parched waterway.

"The Murray needs a drink before Christmas," concluded Senator
Hanson-Young.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will be attending the rally at Goolwa next
Sunday August 10 from 10.30am in support of the River Murray.

For further information please call Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760