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