MEDIA RELEASE

Recent comments from those involved in large-scale irrigation enterprises in the Murray-Darling Basin seem to suggest that the nation should not be concerned about their activities as they are currently growing more grains and less cotton and rice. 

This would be fine and dandy if it signalled a "Damascus road" conversion on their part with respect to their understanding of the impacts of their actions. Sadly it is clear that, irrespective of crop selection, most agribusinesses will continue to extract from the river system as much water as they are able, under the terms of their current, untenable allocation arrangements.   

Despite the visionary statements and other platitudes which emanate from this sector, it would appear that responsibilities to the environment and downstream users will still come a distant second to the demands of the balance sheet. 

The new Murray-Darling Basin Authority is not due to present its "Basin Plan" until 2011 and there is no firm time-frame for its implementation. 

Trend data is overwhelming: the Murray-Darling cannot tolerate a further three years or more of rampant abuse. If its immediate future is left in the hands of those with vested interests, could a major product of the region soon be tumble-weed? 

In line with an increasing body of expert opinion, and to allay the frustrations of those  currently considering filing a class action against the Federal Government, Fair Water Use calls upon the Prime Minister to declare a state of emergency and assume total and immediate control of all Murray-Darling water.