Independent Member for Murray Helen Dalton is unsure what it will take for the National Party to realise the impacts this detrimental regulation has on southern basin communities, First Nations people, environment and river health.
“The reason this regulation is continually disallowed isn’t because we don’t want to see FPH licensed,” she said.
“It is because it prioritises a small, select group of northern irrigators and is disastrous for the Darling-Baaka River.
“It must be licensed under cap; the same legislated legal level every other metered and licensed southern irrigator operates under.”
Basin law currently allows for 46 giglitres of FPH, however this regulation supports 350GL plus a 500 per cent carryover - a volume which severely impacts river connectivity which is a key principle of the basin plan.
“Back in the day I was able to take my children fishing in the Darling River and I hope to be able to take my grandchildren as well, but this regulation will be the death knell for the river if we don’t get some common sense here,” Mrs Dalton said.
The disallowance follows on from an Upper House inquiry which received 263 submissions.
Of the submissions, 78 per cent opposed the current licensing process, and of the 22 per cent in favour - 65 per cent received a direct financial benefit.
“The communities of the southern basin continue to voice their concern and the coalition continue to ignore it,” Mrs Dalton said.
The disallowance was supported by Independents Justin Field, Cate Faehrmann, Labor and Reverend Fred Nile and was opposed by the coalition, One Nation and Shooters Fishers and Farmers party.
“As Justin Field said in his summary, one side was extraordinarily well informed and engaged with stakeholders for a balanced and shared interest in water, while the government sought to mislead, misrepresent views and engage in personal attacks,” Mrs Dalton said.
