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Disappointment after deal struck to pass Water Amendment Bill
Cotton Australia has expressed disappointment at the deal struck between the federal government and two independents to allow the passage of the Government’s legislation to rewrite the 2012 Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
CA General Manager Michael Murray, who gave evidence during the Senate Hearings into the Bill and also met with the Water Minister Tanya Plibersek on two occasions to discuss grower interests, said he was dismayed that the voices of farmers hadn’t been acknowledged.
“Our concern is for the economic wellbeing of the many communities who rely on the success of farmers every season. Many millions of dollars flow into those communities in the form of jobs, farm supplies and services, and with the potential for water buybacks to impact that productivity, those communities will feel financial pain.”
Mr Murray said CA joined with the National Farmers Federation and Irrigator groups in the commitment to continue to highlight the plight of impacted agricultural communities in the months ahead and attempt to hold the government to account to minimise impacts.
“We will not stop advocating for our cotton growers and our rural communities and we will be monitoring developments to ensure the government knows what this Bill is doing to the livelihoods of thousands of families who rely on agriculture.”
Mr Murray thanked the politicians who supported their call for water buybacks to be taken off the table while acknowledging their efforts in gaining some small improvements including the extended deadline and some minor changes aimed at lessening the economic impact of the Bill.
The Bill will now go back to the House of Representatives where it is expected to be passed.
