Call for minister’s job over water decisions

Murray River Action Group chair Richard Sargood said numerous invitations to visit the region had gone unanswered.

The group represents riparian landholders from Hume to Yarrawonga.

“Numerous organisations have encouraged Minister Plibersek to visit our region and learn more about her policies, in particular flaws in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and the alternatives that can improve its implementation,” Mr Sargood said.

“Even last week I became aware that a local council, Berrigan Shire, had invited Ms Plibersek to the region but had received no response. Unfortunately, that’s what we have come to expect.”

Mr Sargood called on Victorian and NSW leaders to unite and encourage Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to appoint a new leader in the water space.

Upper Goulburn Rivers Catchment Association spokesperson Jan Beer said she had never seen a minister with less interest in working with communities impacted by their decisions.

“It’s almost been like she was handed the water portfolio by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and was dissatisfied with it from the start,” Mrs Beer said.

“I suspect her ambitions were a little higher and as a result she has been limited in her engagement with communities and those impacted by her decisions.

“Minister Plibersek appears to have prioritised environmental ideologies from city-based activists who do not understand the intricacies of water management.

“And unfortunately, she refuses to engage in meaningful discussions with many of us who have lived experience and want to help her develop best-practice solutions.”

Both Mrs Beer and Mr Sargood said their organisations want to work collaboratively with all governments and bureaucracies to deliver the most effective water policy, with the importance of maximising the use of this precious resource never more important.

“But it’s hard to do that with a minister who will not effectively engage with us,” Mrs Beer said.