Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Water. I refer to the report in the Age newspaper yesterday based on a leaked commercial-in-confidence report from Hyder Consulting for your department which details the adverse impact the Victorian government’s four per cent cap on water trading is having on Victoria’s job market, economy and embattled northern rivers, costing cash-strapped farmers $19 million, as well as being a ‘severe constraint’ on the ability of the federal government and others to purchase water for the rivers and wetlands of the southern Murray-Darling Basin. Does the minister accept that this independent report directly contradicts public claims by Victorian Premier Brumby that he must keep the four per cent cap in place to protect his state’s interests? Further, does the minister agree with the conclusions outlined in the report?