QUEENSLAND FEDERAL COALITION MPs MUST STAND UP FOR WARREGO IRRIGATORS, SAYS WALLACE

Queensland Federal Coalition MPs must defend Warrego irrigators against political attacks from their NSW colleagues over the upcoming auction of water from the Warrego River.

Water Minister Craig Wallace today said Barnaby Joyce, Ron Boswell and Bruce Scott should stand up to NSW Federal Coalition MPs who are trying to derail the auction to protect their own re-election chances.

Mr Wallace has written to Barnaby Joyce asking him to support the right of Queensland irrigators to benefit from proper water planning free from political interference.

“Queensland will not be held to ransom by NSW politicians desperate to retain their seats in the upcoming Federal election,” Mr Wallace said.

“The sale of water from the Warrego was approved by Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull as Chair of the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council,” he said.

“It was also approved by the Prime Minister John Howard in March.”

This has embarrassed other NSW MPs who are being pressured by NSW graziers and irrigators who want the water themselves.

NSW takes 55% of Murray Darling Basin water compared with only 5% by Queensland.

Mr Wallace said a CSIRO report released late last week on water availability in the Warrego did not say the sale of water should not go ahead.

Projections in the study varied so widely that it is not possible to say if global warming will increase or decrease water in the Warrego.

Mr Wallace said the auction of 8000ML from the Warrego on September 18 and 19 was environmentally sustainable.

“Queensland is only allowing the sale of this water after exhaustive, scientifically sound water planning,” he said.

Irrigators on the Warrego River use less than 1% of the water in the Murray Darling Basin.

Queensland also delivers 89% of Warrego water into NSW, a flow figure that very few NSW rivers could match.

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.