13th Nov 2019, 4:40 PM – Senate Committees - Environment and Communications References Committee - Reference

The majority voted against a motion introduced by SA Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (Greens), which means it failed.

Motion text

That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 March 2020:

The deal struck between the Federal Government and the South Australian Government for 100GL of Murray-Darling River water to be cut from South Australia's allocation, and the Commonwealth to fund the increased use of the State's desalination plant to instead provide the same amount of water to the State, with particular reference to:

(a) the consequences for the river system of taking 100GL plus conveyance water from downstream flows;

(b) the mechanisms for ensuring that the water that South Australia is forgoing is actually delivered as intended, such as to small farmers to grow fodder;

(c) the checks and transparency measures to ensure the program is not rorted or exploited;

(d) whether the 100GL could have been delivered to New South Wales and Victorian farmers by a means other than reducing South Australia's allocation, and whether that would have been more cost-effective;

(e) the South Australian-commissioned desalination feasibility report;

(f) whether $88.4 million to help offset costs of running the South Australian desalination plant is the most efficient and cost-effective measure to help farmers feed their stock;

(g) legal provisions that allow Commonwealth and state governments to buy and sell water outside the provisions of the Water Act 2007; and

(h) any other related matters.