Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has challenged the Federal Government to clarify today, on World Wetlands Day, its commitment to rescuing South Australia’s Lower Lakes and Coorong.

“The Greens challenge the Federal Government to clarify its commitment to protecting these internationally significant, Ramsar-listed wetlands,” she said.

Senator Hanson-Young, who has made a number of visits to the area to meet with Lakes communities recently, said there was no time to lose, as the Lakes need fresh water urgently.

“The Government’s line about there being no water to buy is false – people are trading water on the market every day,” she said.

“Salt water flooding of the Lakes is not the answer - there is sufficient fresh water in the system to avoid that devastating tipping point.

“$200 million has been earmarked for the Lakes already, but it’s no good just sitting in the kitty. Let’s see that money spent on securing fresh water flows, and employing local people to activate an interim bioremediation plan.

“If the Government is committed to saving the Lower Lakes, it will purchase 30 to 60 gigalitres of desperately needed fresh water.

“This has moved beyond a state issue now – it’s clear that Prime Minister Rudd needs to step in and direct his ministers’ response to this rapidly worsening environmental crisis.”