MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan delivered a Private Members’ Statement in NSW Parliament last night, urging the Minns Labor Government not to sign the National Water Agreement (NWA) which is currently under Commonwealth consultation.
Mr Moylan warned that the NWA should not be agreed to by NSW in its current form and its shortcomings, knowledge gaps, legal and financial ramifications must be addressed.
“For those of us who live in the bush, water is a vital social and economic resource,” Mr Moylan said.
“The NWA will replace the 2004 National Water Initiative (NWI) which was the was the result of 10 years of thorough consultation between States and the Commonwealth, and stakeholders. The NWI held Australia in good stead for 20 years.
“In contrast, the Commonwealth Government is attempting to rush the NWA through in a matter of months and bully the States, including NSW into signing it by the end of this year.
“The NWA is complex and will introduce significant changes that weaken secure, sustainable, and productive water use in NSW.
“NSW is also likely to end up shouldering an increased resource and financial burden to deliver the Commonwealth’s Wishlist, a cost that will be passed onto water users and regional communities under the current NSW rural pricing model.
“The NWA has being rushed which has resulted in water users the NSW Government insufficient time to fully comprehend the proposed changes and their potential impacts on consumptive water users and regional communities.
“Long standing and well respected National and State representatives of rural water users were excluded from Commonwealth advisory bodies developing the NWA principles, despite their members being the most affected by the outcomes.
“I am urging the State Government to protect the interests of our regional communities and NSW water users, the State Government must advocate for a more balanced, consultative process.
“Further rounds of consultation are necessary to refine the NWA, ensuring that it promotes sustainable water management and protects the interests of all stakeholders, including irrigators in the Northern Tablelands and right across NSW.”
*A Hansard copy of Mr Moylan’s speech can be found here: Legislative Assembly Hansard – 25 September 2024 – Proof (nsw.gov.au)
MEDIA: Electorate Office 6772 5552