Published Friday, 02 February, 2007 at 02:39 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
PREMIER CALLS FOR URGENT MEETING ON WATER
Premier Peter Beattie has called on the Prime Minister to urgently convene a meeting with the States to detail his proposal for national water reform.
“When John Howard publicly announced his plan for management of water within the Murray-Darling system last week he promised he would provide more detail,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are still waiting.
“We have received an overview letter from the Prime Minister but that still doesn’t tell us what we really need to know.
“Where are details such as the specific powers they seek to have referred and how they practically expect to manage this vast resource?
“How much it will cost, over what timeframe, and do the Commonwealth intend to use compulsory acquisition powers on farmers?
“All of the affected States have indicated a willingness to work together on the vital issue of water but we need to know that Mr Howard and his colleagues in Canberra are serious and have thought this through.
“For example, it would be a backward step for our rural economy and the environment, if decision-making on water was to occur in isolation from all other resources in the catchment and reliant on decision makers in Canberra.
“It would be a nightmare for farmers, irrigators and other businesses if they had to deal with different approvals in the States only to then have to jump through hoops for bureaucrats in Canberra.
“We are keen to ensure that any new system is able to ensure the connection between the proposed management of water by the Commonwealth Government and other resources by the State is both practical and workable.”
Mr Beattie said he was prepared to cooperate but needed more detail and wanted an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister and other affected states to discuss the ramifications of his proposals.
“From our perspective there are also a number of issues we want to discuss including making sure Queensland farmers are protected and unlocking the money promised by the Howard Government for major water infrastructure,” he said.
“Solving the national water crisis will take more than rhetoric.
“In Queensland alone we are spending billions of dollars on various water projects such as a water grid, new dams and water storages, recycling, and desalination.
“We are working hard in practical and real ways to help tackle water shortages.
“The Howard Government need to stop talking and start delivering.”
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
2 February, 2007
The Honourable John Howard MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Prime Minister
Thank you for your letter of 31 January 2007 in which you provide an overview of your proposal to assume responsibility for the management of water within the Great Artesian Basin provided that the States refer certain powers to the Commonwealth Government.
Let me say at the outset that I am prepared to support any proposal that results in a more effective management of this precious resource that is so vital to supporting both a healthy environment, and a productive rural economy over such a significant part of regional Australia.
That said, I am sure you will appreciate that what you are proposing has substantial implications for each of the State jurisdictions involved. It is, therefore, incumbent on all of us to ensure that we are developing a system that results in a better overall management of this unique Basin.
Self evidently, the management of the water resources of this vast region cannot be effectively discharged in isolation from all other resources. Indeed, in Queensland, policy and practice is very much directed towards the integrated management of all resources in a catchment. It would indeed be a backward step for the rural economy and the environment, if decision-making on water was to occur in isolation from all other resources in the catchment and reliant on decision makers in Canberra. Hence, I am very keen to ensure that any new system is able to ensure that the interface between the management of water (by the Commonwealth Government) and other resources (by the States) is both practical and workable. So too are there a range of other implications of the proposal that are not apparent from your correspondence as well as issues that need to be further explored.
It is for this reason that I propose that, as a matter of urgency, you convene a meeting of the State Premiers whose jurisdictions cover the Murray Darling Basin so that we might better understand your proposal and establish a process that will allow our officials to work through the detail.
In view of the gravity of the issues your proposal raises, it seems incumbent upon all of us to ensure any new system enjoys the confidence of all stakeholders as the best means to effectively manage the challenges that confront this important part of inland Eastern Australia.
Yours sincerely
PETER BEATTIE MP
PREMIER AND MINISTER FOR TRADE
“When John Howard publicly announced his plan for management of water within the Murray-Darling system last week he promised he would provide more detail,” Mr Beattie said.
“We are still waiting.
“We have received an overview letter from the Prime Minister but that still doesn’t tell us what we really need to know.
“Where are details such as the specific powers they seek to have referred and how they practically expect to manage this vast resource?
“How much it will cost, over what timeframe, and do the Commonwealth intend to use compulsory acquisition powers on farmers?
“All of the affected States have indicated a willingness to work together on the vital issue of water but we need to know that Mr Howard and his colleagues in Canberra are serious and have thought this through.
“For example, it would be a backward step for our rural economy and the environment, if decision-making on water was to occur in isolation from all other resources in the catchment and reliant on decision makers in Canberra.
“It would be a nightmare for farmers, irrigators and other businesses if they had to deal with different approvals in the States only to then have to jump through hoops for bureaucrats in Canberra.
“We are keen to ensure that any new system is able to ensure the connection between the proposed management of water by the Commonwealth Government and other resources by the State is both practical and workable.”
Mr Beattie said he was prepared to cooperate but needed more detail and wanted an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister and other affected states to discuss the ramifications of his proposals.
“From our perspective there are also a number of issues we want to discuss including making sure Queensland farmers are protected and unlocking the money promised by the Howard Government for major water infrastructure,” he said.
“Solving the national water crisis will take more than rhetoric.
“In Queensland alone we are spending billions of dollars on various water projects such as a water grid, new dams and water storages, recycling, and desalination.
“We are working hard in practical and real ways to help tackle water shortages.
“The Howard Government need to stop talking and start delivering.”
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
2 February, 2007
The Honourable John Howard MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Dear Prime Minister
Thank you for your letter of 31 January 2007 in which you provide an overview of your proposal to assume responsibility for the management of water within the Great Artesian Basin provided that the States refer certain powers to the Commonwealth Government.
Let me say at the outset that I am prepared to support any proposal that results in a more effective management of this precious resource that is so vital to supporting both a healthy environment, and a productive rural economy over such a significant part of regional Australia.
That said, I am sure you will appreciate that what you are proposing has substantial implications for each of the State jurisdictions involved. It is, therefore, incumbent on all of us to ensure that we are developing a system that results in a better overall management of this unique Basin.
Self evidently, the management of the water resources of this vast region cannot be effectively discharged in isolation from all other resources. Indeed, in Queensland, policy and practice is very much directed towards the integrated management of all resources in a catchment. It would indeed be a backward step for the rural economy and the environment, if decision-making on water was to occur in isolation from all other resources in the catchment and reliant on decision makers in Canberra. Hence, I am very keen to ensure that any new system is able to ensure that the interface between the management of water (by the Commonwealth Government) and other resources (by the States) is both practical and workable. So too are there a range of other implications of the proposal that are not apparent from your correspondence as well as issues that need to be further explored.
It is for this reason that I propose that, as a matter of urgency, you convene a meeting of the State Premiers whose jurisdictions cover the Murray Darling Basin so that we might better understand your proposal and establish a process that will allow our officials to work through the detail.
In view of the gravity of the issues your proposal raises, it seems incumbent upon all of us to ensure any new system enjoys the confidence of all stakeholders as the best means to effectively manage the challenges that confront this important part of inland Eastern Australia.
Yours sincerely
PETER BEATTIE MP
PREMIER AND MINISTER FOR TRADE