Justine Elliot (Richmond, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

In the very short time remaining I want to comment on the fact that this government’s inaction when it comes to the environment has been disgraceful and that not taking any action in relation to the environment will be its legacy. I want to raise one particular issue of grave concern in my electorate and that is this government’s plan to build a dam right in the middle of the electorate, right next to the village of Tyalgum.

It really is a disgrace that the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources will not go and actually speak to the locals about their concerns. Many invitations have been issued to him, and I again invite him to come to Tyalgum and listen firsthand to people’s concerns about the devastation that this dam would cause to the rural village of Tyalgum and also about the detriment to our rivers as well. I call on the environment minister to rule out this dam near the village of Tyalgum. He needs to speak firsthand to people. He cannot keep running away from this issue. It is a major concern and it will cause major damage to our rivers, to our communities and to the town of Tyalgum.

Debate interrupted.

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