Greens out of Touch on Water and Rural Issues

Shooters and Fishers Party MLC, Robert Brown said today it was typical of the Greens to launch their water efficiency plan to prepare for the next drought from a backyard in inner Sydney.

He said it confirms the contempt they have for those living west of the mountains in regional and rural New South Wales.

“People most impacted by droughts are those far from the inner west of Sydney, who live on the land and depend on water. Where was the Green advice for them on how to survive the “next drought?”

“Efficiently watering the shrubs in your inner suburban garden seems to me to pale in to insignificance when you consider the real implications of drought on the rural people and economy of NSW.

“The Shooters and Fishers Party knows it is important to focus on the real impacts of water use and water efficiency. That means rural people, communities, businesses and livelihoods -not “grass” in Petersham,” Mr Brown said.

“This State battles droughts in climate cycles. What the Greens haven’t said today is that they want an end to irrigation of crops such as cotton and rice. They see the production of food and cloth as a waste of a resource. They also don’t like dairy farms because of the water they use.

“We know the flawed Greens Ideology driving the Federal Labor government has botched the planning for water solutions for the Murray Darling basin and infuriated country people. That is why we want the State to withdraw from that agreement, until the mess is sorted out.

“While the Greens had the Mayor of Marrickville at a photo opportunity for their launch today, the Shooters and Fishers Party recently toured the affected areas of Central West NSW and the Riverina talking to the people to whom water use and efficiency counts the most.

“We heard what their fears and needs are, and hopefully can return commonsense and local input to water planning issues,” Mr Brown said.

For further information and comment contact Robert Brown MLC on
9230 3059 or 0429 303 250.