Encourage good water policy

The federal Labor Party has released a five-point plan for the Murray-Darling Basin that would reverse the Morrison government's undermining of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

Will you send an email to the Labor Water Spokesperson Terri Butler and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese to demonstrate public support for this plan.

Labor's commitment to deliver 450 gigalitres of water is vital if we are to meet the targets of the plan, which, according to the science, is the bare minimum needed to save rivers, wetlands and sustain river communities.

Re-establishing the National Water Commission, publishing data and modelling, investing in science, and increasing compliance funding are all vital for restoring public confidence in water management after years of scandal and secrecy.

The commitment to increase First Nations' water ownership is long overdue and would rectify a broken promise made by the Morrison government and deliver some justice for historical wrongs.

Dear Ms Butler and Mr Albanese,
I was pleased to see Labor release its five-point plan to revive the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
The commitment to meet the plan’s target, including the 450 gigalites agreed to by Basin states, is vitally important for the health of rivers and wetlands.
The commitment to re-establish the National Water Commission, publish data and modelling, invest in science, and increase compliance funding are all vital to restoring public confidence in water management after years of scandal and secrecy.
In order to revive our rivers I urge you to pursue the following:
<ul>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1">Meet the water recovery targets in full with real water, including voluntary buybacks of water licences from willing sellers.</li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1">Increase the ambition of the Murray Darling Basin Plan towards targets the science concludes is necessary to restore the health of the system, taking into account the predicted impacts of climate change.</li>
<li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1">Ensure transparency and accountability in water administration.</li>
</ul>
During the last decade, the Coalition has acted to undermine the integrity of the Murray Darling Basin Plan. I hope Labor will work to restore the integrity of the plan and increase its environmental ambition as we approach the reconciliation of the plan in 2024.