The Australian Greens today congratulated the Australian Council of
National Trust for their call for immediate action on the
Murray-Darling Basin, but said their targets are not sufficient.

Speaking from Adelaide, alongside Greens SA Senate candidate Sarah
Hanson-Young, Senator Rachel Siewert said: “Inflows to the
Murray-Darling are at their lowest in 116 years, irrigation allocations
are at an all-time low, and we have even less water in storage this
summer than last year.

“We have already lost up to 90% of the wetlands in the basin, native
bird numbers have declined by a staggering 80% in the last 25 years,
and many farming families fear this could be their last season on the
land,” she said.

“Last election the Government and the Opposition both pledged to put
500GL back into the system, and we are still waiting. SA, at the bottom
of the river system is copping the brunt of years of inaction and
mismanagement,” said Greens SA Senate candidate Sarah Hanson-Young.

The Australian Council of National Trust is calling for 1500 gigalitres of water to be added to the present environmental flows.

“We support this call for immediate action, but the situation is
even more serious. The science at the moment tells us we need 3500GL
for a good chance for the Murray to recover,” said Senator Siewert.

“The Australian Greens are already offering leadership on climate
change, water management and species survival. What is needed now is a
Government who will act to save the Murray Darling system without
delay.”

“There is no time left for excuses. The Coorong, which has been an
SA icon, is dying and soon it will be too late to rescue it. What will
we tell our kids when they ask where Storm Boy used to play? Mr
Percival would be ashamed and horrified,” concluded Sarah Hanson-Young.