Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Smith, for your question. The government policy remains that we absolutely support making sure that we have a sustainable Murray-Darling Basin system into the future for all Australians who rely on it. That means for the communities along the river, the farmers who grow the produce and the fibre as a result of the use of that water, whether it be Australians who rely on it as a source of drinking water—as is the case in South Australia, where I live and where Senator Smith lives as well—it is absolutely essential we have a sustainable river system going into the future. That is why 12 years ago we came together in this place in a bipartisan agreement to make sure that we delivered for a sustainable system. That was absolutely a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put together a plan.

This is probably one of the most ambitious water, environmental and agricultural combined plans that has ever been agreed to in this place. Fourteen chambers of government around Australia agreed to the implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, and I pay tribute to everybody in this place, whether they're here today, whether were here when the plan was first put in place or whether they've left this place now, and other parliaments in Australia, for having the foresight to realise the importance of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. As we go forward, we know that we will have challenges. We continue to work together collectively to deliver the plan on behalf of all Australians.

The Murray-Darling Basin Plan—none of us should shy away—has very significant complexities but that doesn't mean to say we shouldn't all be working towards making sure we continue to deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. We will continue to put new initiatives in place, apply innovative solutions about how we can get more water to our environmental sites, but at the same time— (Time expired)