SA Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called on Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd to deliver more than just words and condolences to the
residents who live along the Lower Lakes of the Murray.

“Mr Rudd has now finally seen first-hand the destruction of the
Coorong caused by mismanagement of the Murray-Darling, and there is now
no excuse for a lack of immediate decisive action in the face of this
dire emergency,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“A delay in action is no action - there is simply no more time for excuses.

“The Prime Minister should be ashamed of his Government for writing
off the Coorong at this week’s COAG meeting, but instead he visited the
Lower Lakes today in the disguise of a knight in shining armour.

“The only way to save this dying ecosystem and ensure sustainability
of the river is to release new water for environmental flows
immediately. The Murray needs a true hero and at the moment it ain’t
Kevin Rudd.

“The COAG meeting this week was a death sentence for the Coorong. I
hope today’s visit to the Lower Lakes will shock Mr. Rudd into action
and encourage him to rethink his leadership on the issue.

“Fast talk and endless excuses are starting to wear thin with South
Australians, who want to see our once mighty Murray saved and the
future of our Riverland and Lakes communities secured,” concluded
Senator Hanson-Young.