RUDD - ACT AT COAG ON WATER

The Rudd and Rann Government need to act at tomorrow’s COAG meeting to ensure the security of South Australia’s and our nation’s water supply, Christopher Pyne, the Federal Member for Sturt said today.

“South Australians are being sold down the river by the Rudd Government,” Mr Pyne said

“Mr Rudd promised swift action on this issue and made claims that he’d be able to pull his state Labor colleagues into line, but all his rhetoric about acting in the national interest and ending the blame game appears to be just hot air.

“Victoria has obstinately refused to sign on to the Howard Government’s plan to nationalise the operation of the Murray Darling system since it was conceived. It is something I’ve been calling for since 2001,” he said.

“In 2001, I called for the Murray Darling river system to come under Commonwealth control,” Mr Pyne said.

“Since then the situation facing the Murray Darling system has only declined further, with a record drought and the drying of the Murray Darling basin over the past decade significantly impacting on water flows,” he said.

“Combine this with the over-allocation upriver of water licenses and South Australia risks running dry. Experts agree that improved river management is crucial to the survival of the river, and therefore South Australia.

“While the Victorian Government acts in its own interest, instead of the national interest, Rudd and Rann have failed to pull a Labor colleague into line. COAG is the perfect opportunity to bring Victoria to heel and get on with securing our water supply,” he said.

Media Contact:  Adam Howard 0400 414 833