Simpson slip-up shows Opposition support for Traveston

Revelations by Shadow Infrastructure Minister Fiona Simpson in Parliament today demonstrated the Opposition clearly supports the reasons for building Traveston Crossing Dam, Deputy Premier Paul Lucas said.

Mr Lucas said Ms Simpson was caught out when the State Government revealed a report she said referred to warnings about level six water restrictions actually referred to economic modelling done for construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam.

“Ms Simpson has revealed the Opposition actually supports the argument for constructing Traveston,” Mr Lucas said.

“Not only does this report not refer to level six water restrictions but it actually shows why we should build Traveston.

“The report shows what the cost to jobs and the economy would be if there was 25% less water available to business and industry – and in doing so demonstrates the need to build Traveston.

“Ms Simpson is suggesting that when level six restrictions come into force, we will cut the water available to business by 25%.

“That’s not the case – and if Ms Simpson was doing her job, she’d know it. It’s flatly contradicted by the level six restrictions released yesterday by the Queensland Water Commission.

“Under level six restrictions, we want businesses to use water more efficiently so they can make 25% water usage savings or if not possible, achieve best practice benchmarks.

“South East Queensland residents have already decreased their water usage by around 20% since level five restrictions came into place in April.

“Level six is about working constructively with businesses to reduce their water consumption.

“So, some businesses may save 25%. Others may save 3% but demonstrate they’re meeting world’s best practice for their industry, which is perfectly fine under the QWC’s plans. Others may save more than 25%.

“I thank Ms Simpson for highlighting the report because as South East Queensland’s booming population continues to grow and after we take into account our continued best-practice water savings, the Coalition would consign us to 25% less water if Traveston wasn’t built.

“On the basis of Ms Simpson’s dishonest and twisted logic, when level six restrictions begin on November 23 there would be an immediate 25% reduction in water supplied from our dams.

“If Ms Simpson is right, Armageddon will break out next week when level six restrictions begin. That will be very easy to see and I invite everyone to check out the veracity of Ms Simpson’s claims.

“It’s time the Opposition started taking water security seriously. We’re in the middle of the worst drought on record and we’re delivering on projects right across the south-east.

“But all we hear from the other side of politics is misrepresentation and whinging.”

Mr Lucas said Ms Simpson chose not to reveal the report was undertaken as part of the Traveston Crossing Dam EIS process and the figures were a vital part of the argument for building the dam.

“I suspect Ms Simpson chose not to reveal this because it would have clearly demonstrated the Opposition’s support of the reasons for building Traveston,” Mr Lucas said.

“The same figures in the report that Ms Simpson quotes from are quoted on page 1-15 of Traveston Crossing Dam EIS Executive Summary.”

“And the reason the figures are the same is that the report was prepared for the Traveston Crossing Dam EIS, not level six restrictions.

“What her actions today show is that the Opposition must support the reasons for building Traveston Crossing Dam. Ms Simpson can’t have it both ways.”

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