Greens call on Burke to reject failed Plan

The Australian Greens have today called on Minister Burke to step in and reject the Murray Darling Basin plan that in its current form, is set to fail the future of the river system.

"The Plan handed down by the Authority today fails the river and its communities, it fails South Australia and unfortunately looks set to fail in the courts as well." Greens' water and Murray Darling Basin spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, said.

"The Greens raised serious concerns in the initial draft plan that 2750 gigalitres was not enough to save the river system.  It is far less than what science tells us we need to give the river a fighting chance.

"4000 gigalitres at the very least is what is required if we are to save the Murray Darling Basin for the future. The plan released today fails to deliver enough water for the river.

"More alarmingly, this plan is riddled with ways to give the environment even less water than already scarcely allocated, hanging South Australia out to dry.

"The plan fails to provide mechanisms to adapt to climate change and extreme weather events despite knowing that there will be less water in years to come. This plan is not one that will deliver fair water sharing or certainty in years of drought.

"If implemented as outlined this plan will be nothing more than a $9 billion flop and cost Australian taxpayers even more in the courts.

"The Greens call on Minister Burke to reject this plan and to come back to the table with a plan that will actually save the river, give our communities security, and ensure that we build resilience and sustainability throughout the basin."

Media Contact: Ali Neyle 0427 604 760