I CALL on all independent candidates running in the Murray electorate to rule out doing any deals with NSW Labor, including providing support in minority government following the Shadow Water Minister’s admission NSW Labor is open to water buybacks.
Win News Riverina has reported “water buybacks could be on the table under a Chris Minns Labor Government”, and that Shadow Water Minister Rose Jackson had said “buybacks can’t be discarded”.
It’s pretty clear from the Shadow Water Minister’s comments that a NSW Labor Government will not stand up for the interests of southern irrigators and fight to stop buybacks.
The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has made our position very clear for some time now; we need more time and more flexibility to meet the target.
We know buybacks will have a devastating impact on the southern basin, reducing the amount of water available in the consumptive pool and will have a massive impact on the region’s economy.
The only way the southern basin can continue to have a government in Sydney who will stand up for their interests is to vote for Nationals candidate Peta Betts.
This weekend’s election will be extremely close and there is a real chance NSW Labor could be in charge of water policy in NSW in a few weeks’ time.
If NSW Labor win majority government at the election, a local independent MP will have no sway or favour in shaping water policy in NSW.
Nationals Duty MLC for Murray
Wes Fang
