Response to Nationals Basin Plan amendments

In response to the National Party putting forward amendments to the Basin Plan in the Senate today, Environment Victoria CEO Jono La Nauze said: 

“The Basin Plan was a hard-fought compromise between multiple states and the Commonwealth. Until today it had bipartisan support. This kind of opportunistic posturing by the Nationals risks the only framework we have to manage Australia’s largest river system.” 

“These are clearly ludicrous proposals put forward with no notice or public debate. It smacks of political opportunism as the Nationals renegotiate their Coalition agreement. 

“Removing the 450 gigalitres from the agreement would sign the death warrant for the Coorong and increase the frequency of fish kills and toxic algal blooms.” 

“Does the Coalition want to kill another ecosystem of global significance in the same week UNESCO has flagged listing the Great Barrier Reef as in danger?” 

“This is, without doubt, a test of the Coalition and the leadership of Scott Morrison. Is he prepared to tear up the Basin Plan to appease Barnaby Joyce?” 

Jono La Nauze is available for immediate comment on 0402904251