Water for drought-affected farmers can be on loan basis, SA Senator Anne Ruston says
DYING animals need water that can come from the eastern states and repaid to us when we most need it, South Australian Senator Anne Ruston says, as a fight flares over the River Murray.
DYING animals need our water, South Australian Senator Anne Ruston says, as a fight flares over the River Murray.
There are calls from the eastern states — and from former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce — to release some water meant for SA to drought-stricken farmers.
The water is held in interstate dams and could potentially be used to water crops or fodder even though it is ultimately meant to flow to SA.
Senator Ruston said the proposal could save animals’ lives and farmers’ heartache and if it can be done, the water could be repaid by the time SA needs it.
“It’s a proposal that was put on the table to see if there was some way we could loan (water) to the people who want to finish off their crops in return for them agreeing to return the water over the next few months,” she said, accusing Labor of using the water as a “political football”.
She said the idea was a response to the “terrible situation” affecting farmers in NSW and Queensland.
Senator Ruston was — until the prime ministerial reshuffle last week — the Assistant Water Minister, but as a Riverland resident remains concerned about the river.
Murray-Darling Basin Authority chief executive Phillip Glyde said the Murray-Darling Basin Plan should share water fairly and that it should be shared like a market.
“Drought is the time to truly test the Basin Plan, and its value is clearer now more than ever,” Mr Glyde said.
Meanwhile, a High Court action over whether Federal employees should be compelled to give evidence to the state royal commission has been discontinued.