Home » letters » Basin in an unhealthy state

Basin in an unhealthy state

THE Labor party victories in the recent Queensland and West Australian State elections are a reminder that a Labor government will eventually be elected federally as well.

Of course, Labor’s water policy of delivering the disastrous Murray Darling Basin Authority Basin Plan in full and on time is the same as the Liberal/National party Coalition’s, but also includes the extra demand of removing an additional 450 gigalitres of water from productive farm use.

The NSW and Victorian State governments have signed up to the Basin Plan every year since 2010 and can be expected to continue doing so in the future.

The people in the irrigation areas of NSW and Victoria need to realise that their state and federal governments are not on their side.

Due to political necessity, they are actually on the side of the much larger city-based populations, with their very large Green voting portions.

Regrettably, there is practically no likelihood that the continuation of the Basin Plan can be averted, let alone reversed, while under the governance of these states.

Forming a Riverina state, including the irrigation areas of northern Victoria, is essential for protecting the irrigation and other natural resource based industries.

This state will have authority over all the water, timber, and other natural resources within its area, and will ensure these are used for the benefit of its own people.

Necessity ensures that this state will be formed, and the sooner it happens, the better off we will all be.

David Landini

President

The Riverina State Group

Digital Editions


More News

  • Fire, heat blamed for late arrival times

    Fire, heat blamed for late arrival times

    SWAN Hill passenger train services recorded their lowest punctuality ever in January, V/Line figures show. Reliability on the line was 85.1 per cent, while punctuality dropped to 63.5 per cent,…

  • Getting Lake Boga tourism on track

    Getting Lake Boga tourism on track

    A LONG-closed train station at Lake Boga has become the focus of a renewed push to bring rail passengers to the lakeside town. Glenda Booth, a longtime resident and secretary…

  • Portraits of many paths

    Portraits of many paths

    AN inspiring new exhibition celebrating the stories and faces of people from diverse cultural backgrounds will be showcased at Swan Hill Library and Robinvale Library throughout March. Portraits of Many…

  • Mayor demands drought declarations

    Mayor demands drought declarations

    FARMERS are at breaking point, and now the Balranald mayor is demanding stronger action, calling for formal drought declarations and direct subsidies as the dry tightens its grip. Louie Zaffina…

  • Delegates give council a voice

    Delegates give council a voice

    A THREE-member delegation from Swan Hill Rural City Council will be sent to the nation’s capital in June for the national local government conference. Chief executive Scott Barber said the…

  • Welcome drench in Swan Hill

    Welcome drench in Swan Hill

    SWAN Hill was drenched on Sunday when the Bureau of Meteorology recorded 42.6 mm of rain in a single 24‑hour period. It was a remarkable total for a time of year…

  • Boardroom decision for Mallee mine nears

    Boardroom decision for Mallee mine nears

    AFTER years of planning and approval processes, VHM Limited chief executive Andrew King said the company behind the Goshen mine was “well on the way” to making a Final Investment…

  • Milestone celebrated

    Milestone celebrated

    MARKING a milestone of creativity and community spirit, the Mallee Artists of Swan Hill celebrated their 25th anniversary with a lunch at the Woorinen South Community Centre last week. Founded…

  • Almond harvest begins

    Almond harvest begins

    THE almond industry has begun its harvest season and is projected to yield more than 169,000 tonnes. Last year the almond industry took in 155,697 tonnes, which was above estimates…

  • V/Line service on track

    V/Line service on track

    THE future of the Swan Hill passenger train line is secured despite passengers being told by V/Line staff they could be ushered onto buses in the next 12 months. Passenger…