Helen Dalton MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR MURRAY MEN NSW Out of no-where, Federal Environment and Water Minister, Murray Watt, announced this month that he would be doubling the amount of water his Government was planning to rip out of Murray-Darling Basin communities. To say I was shocked is an understatement. In total, the Federal Government plans to increase its devastating water buybacks from 170GL to 300GL. Make no mistake, this is not water reform. This is regional vandalism. Communities across the Basin that are already struggling following previous buybacks, now face further economic ruin. These buybacks will gut local jobs. They will drive up water prices, and reduce food production. What in earth is the Federal Government thinking? The Federal Government's plans fly in the face of its stated commitment to balanced environmental policy. It's also put the NSW Government in a terrible position. That's because State Labor has repeated promises to oppose the harmful buybacks. NSW must act decisively. NSW Premier Chris Minns Government must defend us all by telling the Commonwealth to stop the expanded buybacks. And if the Feds don't stop, NSW must withdraw from the Basin Plan. Our communities, our economy, and our water security are all at stake. Our water should never be treated as a political bargaining chip. It is the lifeblood of regional Australia. I have a meeting with Minister Watt in December to discuss this further. At that meeting I plan to offer alternative solutions to water recovery. These options will help the environment without crippling our food and fibre producing communities. Buybacks are lazy and they will be devastating. We can, and must, do better. Helen Dalton MP for Murray Authorised by Helen Dalton MP, Funded using Parliamentary Entitlements. Griffith 02 6962 6644 Deniliquin 03 5881 7034 Buronga 0475 683 288 murray@parliament.nsw.gov.au Helen Dalton MP INDEPENDENT MEMBER FOR MURRAY MEN NSW Out of no - where , Federal Environment and Water Minister , Murray Watt , announced this month that he would be doubling the amount of water his Government was planning to rip out of Murray - Darling Basin communities . To say I was shocked is an understatement . In total , the Federal Government plans to increase its devastating water buybacks from 170GL to 300GL . Make no mistake , this is not water reform . This is regional vandalism . Communities across the Basin that are already struggling following previous buybacks , now face further economic ruin . These buybacks will gut local jobs . They will drive up water prices , and reduce food production . What in earth is the Federal Government thinking ? The Federal Government's plans fly in the face of its stated commitment to balanced environmental policy . It's also put the NSW Government in a terrible position . That's because State Labor has repeated promises to oppose the harmful buybacks . NSW must act decisively . NSW Premier Chris Minns Government must defend us all by telling the Commonwealth to stop the expanded buybacks . And if the Feds don't stop , NSW must withdraw from the Basin Plan . Our communities , our economy , and our water security are all at stake . Our water should never be treated as a political bargaining chip . It is the lifeblood of regional Australia . I have a meeting with Minister Watt in December to discuss this further . At that meeting I plan to offer alternative solutions to water recovery . These options will help the environment without crippling our food and fibre producing communities . Buybacks are lazy and they will be devastating . We can , and must , do better . Helen Dalton MP for Murray Authorised by Helen Dalton MP , Funded using Parliamentary Entitlements . Griffith 02 6962 6644 Deniliquin 03 5881 7034 Buronga 0475 683 288 murray@parliament.nsw.gov.au