Murray Regional Strategy Group chair Geoff Moar said rural communities are tired of political rhetoric, and want firm action.
“Treasurer Jim Chalmers talks about productivity and the impact from war in the Middle East,” Mr Moar said.
“We are constantly hearing legitimate concerns around fuel and food security, with the war blamed for the current crisis.
“Yet there are simple ways to improve productivity and food security, which revolve around water policy, that are being ignored.”
Mr Moar said for starters, the Albanese Government should abandon all water buybacks, as doing so will “help productivity and food security, not to mention saving billions of taxpayer dollars”.
“We are moving water away from productive use and storing it in dams.
“Doesn’t the government realise that every megalitre of water that is not being used to grow food is not only reducing productivity on the farm, but also in our regional towns that rely on farm income?
“It totally defies common-sense that in the current time of crisis, our nation is prepared to sacrifice our food security and regional communities for political ideology.
“Buying more water to store in dams is not the answer to environmental sustainability. Even the Murray-Darling Basin Authority concedes the flows proposed under the Basin Plan will not fit down the system, so why buy and store more?”
Mr Moar suggested the very least the Albanese Government could do was place a moratorium on water buybacks until after the 2026 Basin Plan Review, and a thorough assessment of existing environmental water volumes and use.
“Is the water already available for the environment being used to maximum effect? What other options should we be prioritising to benefit the environment?
“These are questions that need to be answered before we continue compromising productivity, food security, cost of living and the prosperity of regional communities,” Mr Moar said.
“If the government is serious about addressing these issues, as the Treasurer tells us, we need to see it in practical ways, not ongoing rhetoric.
“The Middle East war is making other countries think carefully about their self sufficiency; it’s time for Australia to do the same.
“We know it’s out of our control, but government policy is making our nation more vulnerable than it needs to be.”
To inform is submission to the Basin Plan Review, MRSG yesterday held a public consultation meeting in Deniliquin.
An online consultation session will also be held tomorrow, Thursday, March 26, from 10am.
The sessions are to ensure the submission reflects community views and concerns.
MRSG is inviting all irrigators, riparian landholders, small business owners and interested community members across the NSW Murray Valley to participate.
To register for the online session, use the link at www.murrayregionalstrategygroup.com.au or email murrayrsg@gmail.com.
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