They want NSW Premier Chris Minns to say an unequivocal ‘no’ to water buybacks, against the wishes of the federal Albanese Government.
The Murray Regional Strategy Group, which represents various community and farming organisations in the NSW Murray, says its region is going to rely on Premier Minns to protect their future, but understands it will not be easy for him to stand up to the Prime Minister and his fellow Sydney-based Water Minister Tanya Plibersek.
“By reintroducing water buybacks the Federal Government has prioritised city environmental votes over policy that is in the best interests of all Australians,” MRSG chair Geoff Moar said.
“There is no question of that. Buybacks are a proven way to rip jobs out of the regions, hit regional prosperity and reduce food production which, in turn, will force up food prices at the supermarket for all Australians.
“We find the decision quite disturbing, especially when, at the request of Ms Plibersek, we presented her with viable options that would protect both the environment and our communities.
“Our members, who have lived experience in our river environment which gives them a unique perspective that you cannot get from a university degree, spent hundreds of hours developing solutions for the Minister. They were ignored, so now we are calling on the New South Wales Premier to step up to the plate.”
Mr Moar said MRSG was buoyed by the strong anti-buybacks stance of the Victorian Labor Government and is calling on the NSW Government to follow suit.
MRSG also supports efforts by independent Member for Murray Helen Dalton, which aim to block Commonwealth purchase of NSW water.
“It was disappointing that we did not have a vote on Mrs Dalton’s Private Member’s Bill last week, as it was an opportunity for Premier Minns to show his support for regional New South Wales. Instead, the legislation was ‘kicked down the road’, rather than being dealt with.
“While we understand it will be difficult for him to go against the wishes of a Labor Prime Minister, Mr Minns’ first responsibility must be to the people of his state, which is why he should be supporting all efforts to stop buybacks.
“We have welcomed his verbal opposition to buybacks, but this needs to be put into more definitive action.”
Mr Moar added it was an extremely difficult time for regional communities, and rural Australia in general, with a raft of Federal Government policies that were making life difficult for the nation’s farmers.
“But the worst of these is surely the broken commitments around the Basin Plan, and Minister Plibersek abandoning all the promises and commitments from both sides of politics that buybacks would only return if the social and economic fabric was protected.
“For this promise to be broken is devastating, and as a result we will be relying heavily on Premier Minns and his government to protect our future.”
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