MEDIA RELEASE

Data provided by the MDBC yesterday (7th August 2008) with respect to Murray-Darling water reserves cannot be accepted at face value as it is largely a combination of indicative figures and estimates provided by the very bodies that are the root cause of the current crisis: State Governments and private, and not uncommonly foreign-funded, agribusiness enterprises.

An accurate and independent audit of all water reserves, public and private, legal and illegal, is urgently required.

5th August 2008 

Dear Prime Minister and Senator Wong, 

New data confirms that the Murray-Darling continues to collapse despite average to well-above average rains in the majority of the basin over the last nine months: 

As the months tick by, your argument that we must wait for the drought to break is becoming more and more untenable. If your Government persists with its refusal to proceed with compulsory water acquisition, only immediate, massive and continuous rains will resolve the problem ?naturally? in time to save the nation?s most vital river system. Sadly, Bureau of Meteorology projections refute this possibility.

How much more data do you require before you are willing to conclude that the current crisis is more about over-allocation than drought? 

Does the electorate have any choice other than to assume that this Labor Government is deaf to the voices of independent experts and is listening more to those promulgating the economic interests of water-hungry agribusiness enterprises which are increasingly annexing the Murray-Darling from its headwaters and groundwater? 

Fair Water Use implores you to look to your social and environmental consciences and act now to order the release of water as advised by the CSIRO, or else you and your cabinet colleagues will risk being remembered as the Government that stood and watched as the nation?s bread basket was devastated by those who sought to profit from their abuse of the ever-dwindling natural resource that is Murray-Darling water. 

Australians will neither forget nor forgive. 

Sincerely,

Dr Ian Douglas

National Coordinator 

MEDIA RELEASE 

The consensus amongst contemporary historians is that Roman emperor Nero was not in fact guilty of sawing on the violin while his capital was consumed by fire. However Senator Wong appears to have assumed his erstwhile mantle, fiddling about while the Murray-Darling continues to implode and insisting that there is insufficient available water to allow her to do what is necessary.

As it is now apparent that there is in excess of 5000 gigalitres currently held in public and private storages within the basin, in addition to that in the Murray River itself, it is simply unacceptable to for the Minister to refuse to release the 1500 gigalitres required to revive Australia?s most vital river system.

If Nero had actually serenaded the Latin conflagration, at least he could not have been accused of inactivity. Given her current approach to the water-crisis, had the Roman empire been headed by our 21st century Senator at the time the flames started to take hold, it is likely that her response would have been to order an urgent review of fire-fighting protocols.

Fair Water Use urges Senator Wong to take the meaningful steps that are urgently required to turn around the continuing demise of the Murray-Darling. 

Dear Mr Rudd,  

Minister Wong?s reported comments yesterday that there is no water available to revive the Murray Darling as it is all allocated, ignore the fact that your Government has the constitutional authority to assume emergency control of the nation?s water resources.

Current data obtained by Fair Water Use from the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and relevant State water authorities reveal that around 4,000 gigalitres of water is currently held in public storage in the Murray-Darling Basin: including Menindee: 510 gl; Dartmouth: 730 gl; Hume: 620 gl; Eildon: 562 gl; Burrunjuck: 450 gl; Blowering: 650  gl.

The volume currently impounded by private enterprise is estimated to be in excess of 1,000 gigalitres (predominantly in the upper Darling catchment).

It is therefore not unreasonable to ask why you have not directed Minister Wong to acquire the 1,500 gigalitres that the CSIRO has informed you is urgently required by the system if it is to be given a reasonable chance of restoration.

As will be evident at the Rally For The River in Adelaide this coming Friday, a rapidly-increasing proportion of the Australian electorate is demanding that this decisive step is taken, and is calling upon you, as Prime Minister, to ensure that it is made without further delay.

 Sincerely,

Dr Ian Douglas (National Coordinator)