DAIRY NEWS AUSTRALIA MARCH 2018
NEWS – MDBA // 7
‘Politically motivated’ move will be overcome RICK BAYNE
AGRICULTURAL USERS, including dairy farmers, are being used as political pawns in the ongoing row over the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, according to a leading taskforce figure. Australian Dairy Farmers Basin Taskforce chairman, Daryl Hoey, said the Senate’s decision to block the water reform plans wasn’t unexpected but it was frustrating and politically motivated. But the news is not all bad for farmers with Mr Hoey predicting the bill will return and be passed. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is responsible for overseeing water reforms to boost river health. After a four-year socio-economic and environmental study, the MDBA recommended that the initial recovery target in the Northern Basin be downgraded by 70 gigalitres, from 390 Gl to 320 Gl. Mr Hoey claimed the upcoming South Australian election had influenced the Senate’s decision to block the reforms, preventing the reduction
target from becoming a reality. “We knew Labor was mounting a campaign to block it but we hoped common sense would prevail given that the northern review process was part of legislation Tony Burke introduced,” he said. “That’s what we find so frustrating.” “This was all about Labor, the Greens and Nick Xenophon Team being seen to be sticking up for South Australia; it had nothing to do with science or the legislation and it’s all about politics.” However, Mr Hoey said that if the reforms don’t happen South Australia could end up worse off “and it would be worse for the environment, for communities and for everyone”. Mr Hoey said the taskforce hadn’t always agreed with the basin authority and challenged and many of its processes. “However, this was one instance they got it right; they went through public consultation, they got the science and did all the work and went through the minister with a recommendation to reduce the northern take by 30 Gl and then it got chopped by politics.” “They’d been through the review process and found they could achieve the same environmen-
tal outcomes with 70 Gl less taken out of the system then that’s how the model should work. We should remember the basin plan is about improving environmental outcomes, not about magical numbers of water and if we can achieve the same or better environmental outcomes through better technology or engineering that’s what we should focus on.” While his frustration continues, Mr Hoey says dairy farmers don’t need to panic at this stage and that the hold-ups could be temporary with little impact at the Murray mouth. “This equates to around 2–3 Gl of water at the Murray mouth. It has no material impact but due process wasn’t followed. That’s what’s so frustrating. “The basin communities and agricultural sectors that are reliant on the water have been used as political pawns; we’re the ones being hung out to dry,” he said. “But once we’re past the South Australian election things will be back on track. The review will be re-submitted to parliament and more than likely pass.” Mr Hoey said he believes the Basin Author-
ity will review the science and submit an alternate number or re-submit the same information. “Unless another curveball is thrown at us, we’ve got to wait six months and if it gets resubmitted I think it will get passed.”
Daryl Hoey believes the bill voted down by the Senate will be returned and successfully passed.
Now is the time to think about autumn sown grasses.
IT’S TIME TIME FOR SOME SOLID GROWTH TIME TO ENSURE PLENTY OF FEED INTO WINTER TIME FOR ONE5O PERENNIAL RYEGRASS
Available from all quality seed retailers or contact AusWest Seeds / Stephen Pasture Seeds
ausweststephenseeds.com.au
AusWest and Stephen Pasture Seeds have got you covered with One5O Perennial Ryegrass. One5O is ideal for colder conditions and will always produce a high quality feed whether it is the middle of winter or summer.
Key Features • Selected for Australian conditions • Late heading means solid growth into early summer • Ideal for autumn and winter and proven to thrive in summer too • Outstanding drymatter production and perfect for high quality feed • Available with AR37 endophyte for persistence and production advantages