Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Senator Abetz. I refer to the study by the Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation, Integrated water supply options for north east New South Wales and south east Queensland, which was commissioned by the National Water Commission at the request of the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Is the minister aware that the SMEC study did not consider the impact of climate change, reduced rainfall run-off and drought? Is the minister aware that these things were not included in the terms of reference from the government? Can the minister outline why climate change and reduced rainfall run-off were not considered an essential part of the terms of reference for this study?