5th March 2007The new assistant minister for Water, John Cobb, hopes the government will use money from its $10 billion plan for water to help farmers “keep doing what they do best”, rather than sell irrigation licences to make water savings.
The former farm lobby boss from Condobolin, NSW, believes the Federal Government’s water plan will actually help increase agricultural production, not take water away from the farm sector.
His comments came after three of the four Murray Darling States signed over their constitutional control of water rights to the Commonwealth, leaving just Victoria to agree to the Prime Minister’s $10-billion plan for water.
Mr Cobb accepts the reasons for Victoria not signing up to the deal, but says farmers there do not understand the plan is not about acquisition.
“It’s no good trying to say Victoria’s perfect – “it’s not,” Mr Cobb said.
“But all the work Victorians have already done is going to be taken into account, and Victorian irrigators individually have nothing to worry about.
“Property rights are going to be respected everywhere and there is no suggestion that we’re going to interfere with the two main levels of security – general and high.”
Mr Cobb says once farmers realise there is no question of compulsory acquisition in the Government’s plan, they will see there is no downside for them.
And while voluntary purchasing will occur, Mr Cobb is hopeful that water savings on farm will help farmers continue with their traditional agricultural pursuits.
SOURCE: Rural Press National News Bureau, Parliament House, Canberra.
