Independent Shepparton MP Suzanna Sheed has questioned the need for another inquiry into the Murray-Darling Basin.
The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee has agreed to inquiry into allegations of theft and corruption in the management of water resources in the Murray-Darling Basin.
But Ms Sheed said what was required was an independent, judicial inquiry with the capacity to examine all the issues surrounding the Basin. “Now we have five separate investigations, inquiries or assessments going on, the cost of which must be very significant,” Ms Sheed said.
“One single one would be sufficient.
“I will be continuing to call on Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville to do everything she can to ensure we get a full, independent inquiry.”
She said the way some of the inquiries had been set up, and would be run, raised concerns some witnesses might be intimidated about giving evidence. “The inquiries will also all report at different times, in the next couple of years, and it will – pardon the pun – all be water under the bridge by then.”
Ms Sheed said nothing came of the previous Senate inquiry: “So why would we expect anything will come from another one, of this nature?”
And Goulburn Valley Speak Up’s Robert Danieli said any inquiry into the Murray-Basin Plan must not be a selective attempt to achieve political gain.
“It must take into account all aspects of a plan which continues to fail regional communities,” Mr Danieli said.
Political interference was the main reason for the plan’s shortcomings
Mr Danieli said there was merit in calls by a group of South Australian politicians for a judicial inquiry.
He said a Senate Inquiry into the Basin Plan had been held only 18 months ago but the 30 recommendations aimed at improving the plan had not been acted upon.
“They presented some common-sense solutions to many of the problems that are inherent within the plan.”
