20th Aug 2012, 3:42 PM – Senate Motions - Murray-Darling Basin - 4000 gigalitres required

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, which was:

That the Senate-

(a) notes the position statement on the Murray Darling Basin (MDB) draft plan launched by South Australian environmental groups, including the Conservation Council of South Australia, The Wilderness Society, Trees for Life, National Trust of South Australia, National Parks and Wildlife, Nature Conservation Society of South Australia and Friends of the Earth Adelaide, on 27 July 2012;

(b) notes that these groups identify that 4 000 GL must be returned to the river in accordance with the best available science to provide for healthy MDB communities and economies; and

(c) calls on the Government to instruct the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to model at least 4 000 GL against the requirements of the Water Act 2007 and undertake feasibility studies on constraints to delivering 4 000 GL as requested by the South Australian environmental groups.