Does it want Australia to continue growing the cleanest, greenest food in the world? Or does it want to limit food production, and as a result force Australian families to pay more for their food?
These are vital questions the community-based Speak Up Campaign is asking it to answer, after the government this week committed to more water buybacks under the Basin Plan.
“Many Australian manufacturing industries have been decimated in recent decades, placing an unhealthy reliance on imports,” chair Shelley Scoullar said.
“We saw during the pandemic the impact this can have on supply chains, and the effect this has everyday Australians.
“It seems we aren’t learning any lessons, instead sending food production down the same path.
“You cannot keep removing water from farming in our nation’s food bowls without accepting the consequences, that being less food and therefore higher prices.
“There is a growing, and very concerning, disconnect between the Albanese Government and our regional communities.
“City-based ministers with limited background or knowledge of their portfolio areas are making bad decisions that not only adversely affect regional areas, but the nation as a whole.
“Water Minister Tanya Plibersek’s announcement of new water buybacks is a prime example.
“What is so disappointing is that this government, which promised to listen, is doing the opposite. It is ignoring workable, common-sense solutions that can effectively balance our water needs.
“There is enough water to protect the environment and grow food; it’s all about managing it properly. That is where we are failing.”
Mrs Scoullar added the recent floods and current condition of rivers are a prime example of what happens when the environment receives too much water.
“Right now, we are seeing ongoing poor water quality and riverbank damage from the high river flows.
“Since the start of the Basin Plan, we’ve had this misguided ‘just add water’ approach. Right now, if you talk to those who live and breathe our rivers they will tell you they are exploding with European carp which are taking food sources from native fish and stirring up the water, thus reducing its quality. Adding more water is not the solution.
“There also seems to be an abject failure of Water Minister Tanya Plibersek and her colleagues to understand the ramifications to rural communities when more water is recovered and less is available for food production.
“As we have seen, it has a snowball effect across the community.
“Jobs are lost across numerous areas – fewer truck drivers and grain contractors, so there is less money to spend in local shops, some of which are forced to close. Families move away, so you have fewer students at the local school, then fewer teachers.
“It appears Minister Plibersek doesn’t care about these impacts, which is extremely disappointing when she originally told us she would listen and collaborate.”
Mrs Scoullar said a better approach would be for the Albanese Government to undertake the necessary research to determine whether or not additional water is needed for the environment, and importantly whether it can be delivered through the system without causing further damage.
“Many scientists are calling for a fresh approach with a focus on complementary measures to build native fish numbers and protect the environment. Yet the government, for what can only be seen as political expediency, introduces more buybacks.
“It’s the lack of consideration for the future of our communities from a government that promised to consult which is so disappointing.
“It shows you can never believe what a political leader says on election night.”
