Minister Wong’s claims that the “fastest way” to help the Murray Darling Basin is to purchase water from “willing sellers” has rung hollow, Senator Cory Bernardi said today.
“About 400 irrigators, or ‘willing sellers’ as Minister Wong likes to say, have had their applications cancelled despite their applications being lodged before the cut off date,” said Senator Bernardi.
“This includes many irrigators from the Riverland area in my home state of South Australia.
“Minister Wong spouts the spin about helping irrigators, yet has rejected those who had valid applications.
“Minister Wong has said ‘by selling water, irrigators are better placed to retire debt, invest in farm upgrades, diversify their operations, or exit irrigation with dignity.’ 1
“But what use are these empty words to these 400 irrigators who have been rejected by Minister Wong and the Labor Government?
“The Labor Government has put a self-imposed cap on this program, leaving Australian irrigators high and dry.
“It’s not good enough.
“I call on the Labor Government to put their money where their mouth is and remove this self-imposed cap that has sold many irrigators down the river.”
1. Minister Wong, Address to the Murray Darling Association 65th National Conference and AGM, 4.9.09.
