[Greens-Media] Save the Coorong and speed it up: Greens

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

Friday 15 August 2008

Save the Coorong and speed it up: Greens

Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young has described the
Federal Government's announcements on the River Murray yesterday as
falling far short of what is urgently required to save the devastated
river system.

"Prime Minister Rudd still has not committed to sending water down to SA
by the end of the year. Before summer begins and the evaporation rate
rises, we must give the river a drink before Christmas," said Senator
Hanson-Young.
 
"While it's a good thing to have extra money in the coffers, it won't do
much unless we change the current approach to water buybacks. The
Government must actively find water to be sold, and not just wait for
people to offer it up for sale," said Senator Hanson-Young.

The Greens yesterday called for an urgent Senate inquiry into the River
Murray crisis, to report back by the end of September.

Senator Hanson-Young said the Government's agreement to conduct an
emergency water audit needed to go beyond simply adding up the figures
offered by the states. 

"The audit needs to take the form of a thorough search for water, in
both public and private storages. Then we need to determine and what it
is best used for, and how we can transmit what is needed down the system
to the Lower Lakes," she said.

"We need a truly independent water authority and a timely plan for
national sustainable water use. The Rudd Government has failed on both
counts, so the Senate must take action, which is why we'll be calling
for this inquiry as soon as Parliament resumes on August 26. 

"We've already had 11 years of inaction. Australia can't afford to wait
another 11 years, we need a 2008 plan," Senator Hanson-Young said.


Senator Hanson-Young is in Canberra today and available for comment.

Contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760