WATER advocacy group Speak Up Campaign has re-elected Shelley Scoullar as chairperson at a time she describes as “vital for communities”.
The organisation’s annual general meeting was held in Finley last week.
Moulamein farmer Lloyd Polkinghorne was re-elected deputy chair.
Mrs Scoullar acknowledged it would be “a tough road ahead”, with the Federal Government and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek reintroducing water buybacks.
“As we move into the messy and pointy end of Murray-Darling Basin Plan implementation, our governments, in particular the Albanese government, are determined to forge ahead with a plan that was never going to work,” she said.
“Our communities will need to support each other and convince the Albanese government that buybacks are the worst option for our nation’s future, and this will not be easy.
“They reduce food production, cost rural jobs and lead to a Swiss-cheese effect in our water delivery that is not cost effective for those who remain in the system.
“With all the evidence against buybacks, my hope is that if all organisations involved in the water space work closely and collaboratively we can make a difference.”
She has vowed to continue fighting for the future of family farmers and rural communities.
