Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Climate Change and Water) Share this | Hansard source

We have a very clear plan in the Murray-Darling. First, it is to take over planning across the basin—and we have done that. We have established the Murray-Darling Basin Authority which is undertaking the first ever basin-wide plan based on science, something that never occurred under those opposite. That will result in the first ever scientifically based cap, limiting the amount of water that we can take out of basin rivers. It is the first time in Australia’s history that this will be applied.

The second thing we are doing is investing in infrastructure and irrigation. The reason we are investing in irrigation is that it is important for food security. It is important also because it is about recognising that we live in an era when we are likely to see less water. I know Senator Bernardi’s views on climate change are well known, but we have a recent report, from memory called the SEACI report, which includes collaboration between the Bureau of Meteorology—and I am coming to your question, Senator Bernardi—