Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Birmingham for his question. The Australian government believes in a sustainable Australia. We are committed to supporting our rural and regional communities in adjusting to a future with less water and to restoring the health of the Murray-Darling Basin. The government is trying to achieve three key outcomes, as we have talked about before, Mr President, to deliver a healthy river system, acknowledging the importance of food production and delivering strong regional communities. The government is investing more than $12 billion in the Water for the Future initiative to help communities adjust to a future with less water. The government has committed $5.8 billion in funding for water infrastructure and efficiency measures under the SRWUIP. Of this, around $4.9 billion is currently committed for the Murray-Darling Basin. The investment will help place irrigation communities on a better footing to deal with climate change that will reduce water availability. It will contribute substantially to closing the gap to achieve the new sustainable diversion limits under the MDB plan.