[Greens-Media] Government must uphold Acts to rescue Coorong

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

Wednesday 22 October 2008

Government must uphold Acts to rescue Coorong

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says it is understandable that groups
in the Lower Murray are considering legal action against the State and
Federal Governments, given the desperate environmental, social and
economic situation those communities are facing.

The Environmental Defenders Office will meet with people at Goolwa this
week to discuss the constitutional law issues relating to the lack of
fresh water being delivered to the parched lower reaches of the Murray.

"The people of the lower Murray are frustrated and their goodwill is
running out," said Senator Hanson-Young.

"It's understandable that people are prepared to look at options like
taking the Federal Government to court, because the Government is just
not doing enough to help them and the environment they live in."

Senator Hanson-Young said that it was now broadly understood that the
sustainability of the river was crucial for the sustainability of the
communities who rely on it.

"The sustainability of the river must be prioritised, and fast," she
said.

"We need a healthy river for any chance of a healthy community and
healthy industries and economies."

Senator Hanson-Young said the Federal Government has a responsibility to
uphold the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act.

"Is the Federal Government really ensuring that it is doing everything
in its power to rescue the lower Murray, and in a timely manner?"

Senator Hanson-Young said that time was running out to rescue the lower
Murray.

"While the Basin Plan to provide a sustainable environmental flow could
be great in the long term, it does nothing until it's actually
implemented," she said.

"The Bureau of Meteorology is indicating a 60 to 80 per cent chance of
above-average temperatures of the lower Murray-Darling Basin for the
rest of the year.

"We know from the recent Senate Inquiry that there is water available in
the southern Basin.

"Now more than ever, we need leadership at all levels of government to
step in and deliver it. 

"The environment does not wait for politics."

Contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760