River Reflections Conference address

SUBJECTS: Murray-Darling Basin, water, 5-point plan, leadership, climate change, environment.

TANYA PLIBERSEK, MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER: Today, I start as our Government means to go on – by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the lands and waters where we’re meeting.

The First People of the Millewa-Mallee have a deep connection not just to the land, but also to the River. 

I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and to the Elders of all First People across the Basin.

It is a huge honour and privilege to be sworn in as the Commonwealth Environment and Water Minister. 

And it’s great to be able to join you – albeit virtually – on my first full day in the job.

The River Reflections conference is important in connecting Basin communities, industries and ideas. 

Our Government is about bringing people together too so we can collectively work though complex and important issues in the national interest.

When it comes to the Murray–Darling Basin – we recognise it is a nationally significant water resource that supports rivers and wetlands, flora and fauna, First Nations, communities, industries and agriculture. 

We recognise that the impacts of climate change have been hardest felt by our Basin communities and their rivers and wetlands.

Because of climate change we can expect to see more water quality issues, greater salinity and more fish death events – putting more stress on already stressed ecosystems.

Basin river flows are predicted to decline by as much as 30% by 2050 or 2060.

It’s a startling figure – and a clear case for change – especially combined with recent history – two of the worst droughts on record and floods.

Of course – the astounding thing is – we already have a plan to manage these risks and shocks.

The Murray–Darling Basin Plan was agreed by all Basin jurisdictions a decade ago.

My colleague Tony Burke, then the Minister responsible for water, said in his Press Club address at the time that the Basin Plan was ‘fixing a problem that was long overdue’.

He said: “Australia has been putting off this moment for more than a century. That delay needs to end and it ends today.” 

That was 27 November, 2012. 

Fast forward to 2 June 2022 and the Plan should be all but delivered.

Instead, the job remains unfinished and communities frustrated by the lack of progress.
 
Labor will bring people together around our common purpose: future proofing the Murray–Darling Basin for future generations.   

As Prime Minister Albanese said – our strength as a nation is in collaboration and in finding common ground.

I look forward to getting to know the issues, visiting regions and to working with you all to achieve sustainable outcomes. 

I also look forward to meeting as soon as possible with my Basin state and territory ministerial colleagues. 

Our five-point plan is a reset. 

We will work with Basin governments and stakeholders to put the Plan in place as was agreed 10 long years ago.

We will increase compliance across the Basin and improve metering and monitoring.

We will restore integrity and confidence by working with stakeholders to reform water markets and to make river modelling available where we can.

We will increase First Nations role in water ownership and management – and participation in decision-making.

We will future proof the Basin Plan by updating the science through the CSIRO Sustainable Yield study and an independent study on climate change’s effect on the Basin’s Ramsar wetlands – bringing the science up to date.

When it comes to sustainable water management and water security – national leadership is needed now more than ever.

Our Government has committed $26 million to establish a National Water Commission to drive ongoing water reform, through the renewal of the National Water Initiative, and ensure fairness in water policy.

For water infrastructure, we will take up the Productivity Commission’s recommendation and broaden the remit of the National Water Grid Fund to fund projects, like essential town water supplies in regional and remote communities. 

All of you attending this conference can play a role in ensuring future generations inherit a strong and healthy Murray–Darling system.

Our government will work with you to deliver real action on climate change, increase First Nations participation in water management, and deliver the Basin Plan as intended.

I look forward to working with you.

Thank you.