SOPHIE ASTONISHED BY INQUIRY DECISION

18-January-2011

Sophie Mirabella MP, Federal Member for Indi is ‘stunned’ by the Murray Darling Basin Inquiry’s decision not to visit the North East electorate of Indi.

The Parliamentary Inquiry into the proposed Murray Darling Basin plan will hold public hearings in the Victorian towns of Mildura, Swan Hill, Bendigo and Shepparton, but will not visit any towns in North East Victoria, an area that provides more than 40% of inflows into the Murray Darling Basin.

“The Government is not interested in the views of North East locals and it’s a disgrace,” said Mrs Mirabella.

“The electorate of Indi is very different to most irrigation regions in the Murray Darling Basin because we are a catchment area. Unlike most parts of the Basin, we actually provide the water.That’s why our local rivers are in such good health.

“It is ridiculous that you would establish a Parliamentary Inquiry and refuse to visit one of the most important parts of the system.”

North East irrigators are facing some of the largest cuts in the Murray Darling Basin, with farmers in the Ovens system facing cuts of more than 70%.

“The MDBA refused to hold public consultation meetings in Indi, and now the inquiry is running away too. What are they scared of?

“North East farmers are some of the most efficient users of water in the land. We use water closest to its source and the health of our local rivers are a testament to that. I think the Parliamentary Inquiry could learn a lot from farmers in the North East,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.