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Media Release - Ministers Office Sydney: 26 May 2005 COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT ALL TALK AND NO ACTION ON WATER NSW Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Craig Knowles, today called on the Federal Government to stop talking and start spending on important water projects.
“I think everyone is fed up with the Liberal / National Coalition in Canberra calling meetings and holding press conferences on water, and then failing to produce their cheque-book when it really counts.
“I’ve historically had a good relationship with John Anderson, but promises are not enough.
“Farmers are suffering, rural communities are suffering.”
Mr Knowles said that the Commonwealth’s failure to deliver on a $55 million commitment to groundwater funding was a key concern.
“No less than eighteen months ago I sat at the kitchen table of Gai Swain, the Mayor of Gunnedah, with a group of irrigators and the Deputy Prime Minister, John Anderson and we thrashed out an agreement that ultimately led to see the State and Commonwealth governments contributing $55 million a piece to support the groundwater sharing plans in six NSW valleys.
“I thought the Commonwealth was fair dinkum and so did those farmers.
“Since then, John Anderson has called plenty of meetings and made plenty of noise about his Government’s “ongoing support” for that commitment – but to date there hasn’t been a cent forthcoming.
“And he’s at it again. This time, Mr Anderson has taken it upon himself to call a meeting in Canberra to discuss the concerning issue of Goulburn’s water supply.
“The reality is that the Carr Government is already investing in important water infrastructure to help Goulburn.
“We’ve committed over $700,000 in drought assistance for emergency water supply works including groundwater investigations and the development of a bore field.
“We’ve also provided $6.6 million for improvements to the Sooley Dam.
“We’ll go to Mr Anderson’s meeting but we’ll be expecting to hear a lot more than soothing noises and promises.
“John Anderson should match the commitment the Carr Government has already made to the people of Goulburn.
“And while his cheque-book is open, he should make good on his $55 million promise to the irrigators in our six valleys who have been left hanging for 18 months.
“The message to the Commonwealth Coalition Government is clear: enough with the promises and press conferences. It’s time to follow our lead, and start delivering.
“And if the message isn’t clear then it’s well and truly time that the NSW Coalition got on the phone, called their colleagues in Canberra and applied the blow torch.
“It’s an indictment on them that in March this year they actually voted against a motion in Parliament calling on the Commonwealth to fulfil its groundwater commitments.
“The least they can do now is to ask the Leader of the Nationals in Canberra to deliver on his promises to NSW farmers and communities.”
-ends-
Media Contact: Kathy Connell 0419 239 178
© NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources
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