WITH the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Royal Commission expected to call for submissions within days, there are mixed emotions surrounding the SA-conducted inquiry.
With many of the state’s agricultural groups relying on a consistent flow through the River Murray to sustain their businesses, some are not sure the inquiry will be effective.
SA Dairyfarmers’ Association chief executive officer Andrew Curtis said there were 30 dairyfarmers along the lower reaches of the River Murray who did not believe the Royal Commission would fully investigate the water issues upstream.
Mr Curtis said the organisation did not know what value a state-based Royal Commission would add to a national issue.
“We don’t believe the commission will be able to effectively explore all the issues, given that most of them are occurring outside of the state,” he said.
Mr Curtis was also concerned that during the Royal Commission, there would be no advances or negotiations on water allocations, pushing the plan further behind.
“We don’t have a huge number of dairy farms using the water, but they’re the ones most at risk if this goes wrong,” he said. “Everyone else has had a crack at the water beforehand, that’s why it is vital we get it right.”
While the SA Murray Irrigators are in favour of the Royal Commission, chairperson Caren Martin has echoed SADA’s concerns regarding yet another inquiry.
“Our irrigators are fatigued by the whole process and see it as yet another review, another report and another inquiry,” Mrs Martin said.
“But we do support the Royal Commission because we do not abide theft.”
Mrs Martin said the Royal Commission would give credibility to “past politics” and “previous arrangements” as well as providing water users some assurance.
“Hopefully this will be the end to all inquiries,” she said.
The Horticulture Coalition of SA was also concerned about the implications and uncertainty arising from the Royal Commission.
“The terms of reference consider two quite separate issues – one the enforcement of water taking rules across the basin and secondly the cross-border flows needing to be maintained,” a spokesperson said.
Sydney-based barrister Bret Walker, who recently represented Barnaby Joyce during the dual citizenship saga, will lead the inquiry.
In 2011, Mr Walker was appointed to a three-year term as the inaugural Independent National Security Legislation monitor to review the operation of Australia’s counter-terrorism and national security legislation.
Ali Kuchel
Journalist at the Stock Journal, passionate about all things farming and equestrian also doubling as a photographer.
Journalist at the Stock Journal, passionate about all things farming and equestrian also doubling as a photographer.
