[Greens-Media] Politicians must act to save the people's river

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

Monday 11 August 2008

Politicians must act to save the people's river

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has joined thousands of South
Australians in calling for a state of emergency response to the dying
Murray River.

"It is encouraging to see a broad spectrum of support for the plans put
forward by environmental experts, to help address the emergency we are
currently facing downstream in the lower reaches of the Murray," said
Senator Hanson-Young, who addressed yesterday's rally at Goolwa, South
Australia.

"SA Premier Mike Rann says anyone who thinks the lower lakes can be
saved is barking mad, or a phony.

"Well, it seems mad to me to not try all we can to save our Storm Boy
country.

"Bumping the river's environmental health down the list of priorities is
what got us into this mess in the first place.

"It is obvious that the community isn't ready to give up, and neither
are the Greens," she said.

The Greens have called for a truly independent national water authority
to manage sustainable water usage across states, in the best interests
of the river.

Senator Hanson-Young continued, "The over-allocation of water caused by
the states' mismanagement has meant there's no water left for the river.

"The only way out is to shift from 'business as usual' to swift, bold
decision-making on a national level," she said.

The Greens have backed the Australian Conservation Foundation's proposal
for the Federal Government to purchase six large water-hoarding
properties in western New South Wales and Queensland.

"The purchase of large private water storages by the Federal Government
must be on the table," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"It's not good enough to give up on our internationally significant
wetlands just because it all seems too hard.

"The water is available. What we're waiting for is the political will.
We need a Prime Minister with the courage to fix the problem, not one
who hides behind state borders," concluded Senator Hanson-Young.

For further information please call Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760