Minister Blindsides Basin Communities

The Purchasing Framework was released despite a Ministerial Council promise from last October that ‘the Australian Government was carefully and consultatively considering all options to meet the water recovery targets.’

President of the Ricegrowers’ Association (RGA), Peter Herrmann expressed deep disappointment in the Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek’s Purchasing Framework as it shows blatant disregard for communities across the Riverina.

“Buybacks announced under the guise of a Strategic Framework are still buybacks and they are certain to hurt our rice-growing communities,” said Mr Herrmann

“Indiscriminate buybacks, executed at arms-length from Canberra, is a cruel slap in the face to our flood-impacted rice-growing communities.

“This approach, and the way it was dropped on us, threatens to erode the very little remaining trust and confidence that our communities have.

“The RGA has advised Minister Plibersek repeatedly, that the 10 GL of water she wants from the Murray does not need to be purchased. Water recovery can be done through other projects, and we’ve provided a suite of these to Canberra that the Minister can choose from.

“Unfortunately, she has opted to ignore our advice and has never formally acknowledged that it exists. It seems there was only one option ever ‘on the table’, the easy option, the one most convenient for the Minister, buybacks.

“It’s disappointing to see that Minister Plibersek has chosen a quick fix when it comes to finalising this aspect of the Basin Plan rather than working with communities.

“The RGA does not support buybacks, especially when the Minister has not explored other options that will not negatively impact Basin communities,” added Mr Herrmann.

For media enquiries contact:
Pip Connolly | Communications Manager
0488 071 165 pconnolly@rga.org.au