PM ASKED TO CLEAR UP UNCERTAINTY ON WARREGO WATER AUCTION
Published Friday, 14 September, 2007 at 02:29 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Natural Resources and Water and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland
The Honourable Craig Wallace
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Premier Anna Bligh has written to the Prime Minister today to seek urgent clarification of his position on the proposed sale of water from Queensland’s Warrego River.
Premier Anna Bligh and Water and Natural Resources Minister Craig Wallace said frequent Commonwealth policy changes on the auction were highly frustrating and confusing to the Queensland Government.
“More importantly, Queensland irrigators deserve certainty, not an on-again, off-again policy seesaw,” Ms Bligh said.
Queensland today agreed to a written request late last night from Federal Environment and Water Resources Minister Malcolm Turnbull for the auction of 8000 megalitres from the Warrego to be delayed.
Queensland will delay the auction for two-weeks or until the Prime Minister replies to the Premier’s letter, whichever is sooner.
Auctions were scheduled to occur at Charleville and Cunnamulla early next week.
“I am very disappointed with the attitude taken by the Howard Government,” Ms Bligh said.
“It seems they have a different view on this issue every week.
“Nonetheless, I don’t believe it is possible for Queensland to go ahead with these auctions given the Commonwealth’s request.
“Queensland will not proceed with the auction for two weeks while we seek first hand clarification on the Prime Minister’s position on this issue.”
In a letter to the Queensland Government on March 25 this year, the Prime Minister said unequivocally: “As this proposal is consistent with the approved water-sharing plan for the Warrego, I can advise that the Commonwealth Government has no objection to the Queensland Government proceeding with this sale.”
Other Commonwealth statements earlier this year apparently giving the green light to the auction were:
• A unanimous decision by the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council on May 25 to approve Queensland water planning for the Warrego, including the auction of the 8000ML. The Ministerial Council was headed by Malcolm Turnbull.
• A statement by Malcolm Turnbull in the House of Representatives on August 8 in his second reading speech on the Water Bill 2007. Mr Turnbull said: “The Bill will honour existing State water plans – including any subsidiary instruments such as resource operations plans in Queensland.”
Mr Wallace said the Howard Government has had more positions than Jonathon Thurston and Matt Bowen combined on the sale of water from the Warrego.
He said the Queensland Government would write to all bidders who were registered for the delayed auctions.
“They have a right to know exactly why they have been mucked around so badly,” he said.
Mr Wallace said Queensland irrigators had been betrayed by the Queensland Nationals on the auction issue.
“While the NSW National Party was mounting a massive lobbying campaign against the auction, the Queensland Nationals were nowhere to be seen.
“Either they agreed not to oppose the NSW Nationals or Barnaby Joyce, Ron Boswell and Bruce Scott are asleep on the job.”
Friday, 14 September 2007
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office, Paul Childs 0407 131 654.
Premier Anna Bligh and Water and Natural Resources Minister Craig Wallace said frequent Commonwealth policy changes on the auction were highly frustrating and confusing to the Queensland Government.
“More importantly, Queensland irrigators deserve certainty, not an on-again, off-again policy seesaw,” Ms Bligh said.
Queensland today agreed to a written request late last night from Federal Environment and Water Resources Minister Malcolm Turnbull for the auction of 8000 megalitres from the Warrego to be delayed.
Queensland will delay the auction for two-weeks or until the Prime Minister replies to the Premier’s letter, whichever is sooner.
Auctions were scheduled to occur at Charleville and Cunnamulla early next week.
“I am very disappointed with the attitude taken by the Howard Government,” Ms Bligh said.
“It seems they have a different view on this issue every week.
“Nonetheless, I don’t believe it is possible for Queensland to go ahead with these auctions given the Commonwealth’s request.
“Queensland will not proceed with the auction for two weeks while we seek first hand clarification on the Prime Minister’s position on this issue.”
In a letter to the Queensland Government on March 25 this year, the Prime Minister said unequivocally: “As this proposal is consistent with the approved water-sharing plan for the Warrego, I can advise that the Commonwealth Government has no objection to the Queensland Government proceeding with this sale.”
Other Commonwealth statements earlier this year apparently giving the green light to the auction were:
• A unanimous decision by the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council on May 25 to approve Queensland water planning for the Warrego, including the auction of the 8000ML. The Ministerial Council was headed by Malcolm Turnbull.
• A statement by Malcolm Turnbull in the House of Representatives on August 8 in his second reading speech on the Water Bill 2007. Mr Turnbull said: “The Bill will honour existing State water plans – including any subsidiary instruments such as resource operations plans in Queensland.”
Mr Wallace said the Howard Government has had more positions than Jonathon Thurston and Matt Bowen combined on the sale of water from the Warrego.
He said the Queensland Government would write to all bidders who were registered for the delayed auctions.
“They have a right to know exactly why they have been mucked around so badly,” he said.
Mr Wallace said Queensland irrigators had been betrayed by the Queensland Nationals on the auction issue.
“While the NSW National Party was mounting a massive lobbying campaign against the auction, the Queensland Nationals were nowhere to be seen.
“Either they agreed not to oppose the NSW Nationals or Barnaby Joyce, Ron Boswell and Bruce Scott are asleep on the job.”
Friday, 14 September 2007
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office, Paul Childs 0407 131 654.