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

I ask that general business notice of motion No. 798, standing in my name and that of Senator Nettle for today relating to water conservation, be taken as a formal motion.

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is there any objection to this motion being taken as formal?

George Campbell (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—There are a number of key reasons why the Labor Party will not be supporting the motion. Firstly, the motion is vague. Labor oppose the damming of the Clarence and Tweed rivers, and this motion does not say that in clear terms. Secondly, Labor strongly support working with local communities, local water authorities and state governments in developing options for a future water supply. Based on strong concerns raised by the New South Wales government and the Northern Rivers communities, Labor oppose the Howard government’s proposal to dam the Tweed and/or Clarence rivers. Thirdly, the last part of the motion calls on the government to focus on water efficiency standards and water conservation, which is fine, but fails to mention water recycling, rainwater tanks and stormwater capture and storage. Therefore, Labor will be opposing the motion.

Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As there is no objection to this motion being taken as formal, I call Senator Siewert.

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

I, and also on behalf of Senator Nettle, move:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes:

(i)

the impact of reduced rainfall on inflows into river systems in northern New South Wales due to the combined effects of climate change and drought,

(ii)

that serious water management issues already exist in these systems, including problems with the over-allocation of water resources, and

(iii)

the economic value of the range of industries that depend on these systems, from dairy farms on the floodplains through to commercial fisheries; and

(b)

calls on the Federal Government to:

(i)

abandon the further assessment of damming and extracting water from these northern rivers for additional water supplies for southeast Queensland, and

(ii)

focus its efforts on non-runoff dependent alternative sources to meet increasing demand, such as setting water efficiency standards and water conservation measures.

Question negatived.