Regional communities are bracing themselves for the worst as the Federal Government opens its cheque book for Murray-Darling Basin buybacks today.
National Farmers’ Federation Water Committee Chair Malcolm Holm said while families, farmers and businesses had been dreading this day, all Australians should be worried.
“It’s not just regional communities who’ve warned against the disastrous consequences of buybacks, the ACCC and ABARES have also cautioned buybacks will drive up the cost of water," he said.
“The Murray-Darling Basin is essential to feeding Australia, producing 40% of our food and fibre.
“It’s basic economics. Higher water costs will drive up the cost of food at a time when the cost of living is hurting Australian families.”
Mr Holm also pointed to the May Federal Budget which didn’t disclose the figure for buybacks.
“It’s incredibly concerning the government isn’t being transparent about what this is going to cost taxpayers," he said.
“Essentially taxpayers will be hit twice – first bankrolling the Government’s spending spree, then paying the price of inflation at the supermarket checkout.”
Mr Holm urged farmers and other entitlements holders thinking about selling their water to the Government to carefully consider the impacts, especially on communities.
“Minister Plibersek has set aside $300 million for community support, but we don’t know how that will be spent or what accountability there will be to ensure these communities aren’t decimated.
“This is yet another example of the devil-may-care attitude from the Government on buybacks and its complete lack of understanding about the detrimental impact they have on cost of living and communities.”
In the formal decision to instigate buybacks, the Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said she had “considered the social and economic impact on communities in the Murray-Darling Basin”.
“What does ‘considered’ even mean? I consider whether I will have Weetbix or toast for breakfast,” Mr Holm said.
“When you look at the history of buybacks and the damage they’ve brought to communities and people’s livelihoods, ‘considered’ does not pass muster.
“This pain will reverberate across these communities from the farmers facing increased water costs through to the businesses in these towns who rely on the agricultural sector to support jobs, sporting clubs and schools.
“These communities deserve a robust and transparent process, but where is the evidence of that?”
A key finding in the “Basin Plan Review – early insights paper” - released in June by the Government and Murray-Darling Basin Authority - demonstrates the need to look beyond “just add water”.
“The Government needs to move past the mindset that adding more water will fix the environment,” Mr Holm said.
“Rather than jeopardising communities and agricultural production with buybacks, the Government should focus on improving water quality, riparian and floodplain management, and pest control. These are all vital to improving river health.”