WATER MINISTER ADMITS HE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND WATER ACT
26-October-2010
WATER MINISTER ADMITS HE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND WATER ACT
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
The legal advice provided to the Water Minister today regarding the requirements of the Water Act prove that Mr Burke does not understand the process and is not fit to lead reform of the Murray Darling Basin.
The legal advice provided to Mr Burke notes that socio-economic considerations are central to the Water Act.
“This just proves the fact that the Government has been using the Water Act as an excuse in an attempt to escape scrutiny,” said Mrs Mirabella – Federal Member for Indi.
“The reason that this process has been so badly bungled is because Mr Burke and Ms Gillard don’t understand the Act and they don’t know how to tackle the issue.
“Labor has been hiding behind the Water Act and using it as an excuse from the moment the Guide to the Draft Plan was released. They don’t want to accept responsibilities for their failures, they don’t want to face the public and now they are criticising the MDBA for the Government’s shortcomings.
The Murray Darling Basin report cost the taxpayer $100 million but only reflects one third of the Act’s requirements.
“Why did Labor even bother releasing the report if it wasn’t even half complete?
“It’s little wonder that Mr Burke has no understanding of the Water Act because he is only a part time Water Minister. If Ms Gillard was fair dinkum about getting this process right, she would give Mr Burke dedicated responsibility for the Murray Darling Basin.
“The Government simply doesn’t understand this process and the legal advice provided to Mr Burke today proves that. The consequences of this plan are too important to leave to a Government that doesn’t understand the process and doesn’t care about country Australia,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.
*ends*