Peter Malinauskas MP, SA Labor Leader, Susan Close MP, SA Labor Deputy Leader, SA Shadow Minister for Environment. Joint Media Release, 8 November 2021

A Malinauskas Labor Government will appoint a Commissioner for the River Murray and prepare for High Court action to defend our state’s water rights against upstream states’ greed.

Labor has released its six-point action plan for the River Murray, which includes:

• Appointing an eminent jurist to be the Commissioner for the River Murray in SA. The Commissioner will report annually to parliament, will deal with the Murray- Darling Basin Authority, will advise the government and will be someone who irrigators, environmentalists and communities can work with on their challenges in water management.
• Preparing for legal action to defend our water rights against the inaction and negligence of the Australian and eastern states’ governments. The High Court action would attempt to ensure the Murray Darling Basin Plan is delivered in full.
• Acting on every recommendation of the Murray-Darling Royal Commission.
• Reversing the Marshall Liberal government’s endorsement of complex criteria restricting the funding of water efficiency projects up-river.
• Engaging with First Nations People on Aboriginal water needs and interests.
• Presenting a series of demands to the Australian Government and the Murray- Darling Basin Authority to ensure the health of the river, including that a South Australian be appointed to the Murray Darling Basin Authority board.

The Marshall Liberal Government has an appalling record standing up for the River Murray. The low point being a Royal Commission finding Water Minister David Speirs acted contrary to South Australia’s interests and capitulated to the eastern states.Appallingly, only 1.9GL of a promised 450GL of additional water has been delivered, with upstream states repeatedly undermining any moves to deliver the additional water.

Quotes attributable to SA Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas

The River Murray is the lifeblood of so many South Australian communities, businesses and jobs.

As we have seen over the past three and a half years, when we have a weak State Government, the eastern states trample all over us. 

That’s why Labor has a plan for action to ensure that South Australia’s interests are put first.

Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Environment & Water Susan Close 

The River Murray needs a strong advocate.

Clearly, the Marshall Liberal Government has failed to stand up for South Australia’s interests.

The Morrison/Joyce Federal Government has abandoned any leadership role in delivering the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

And eastern states’ governments are reluctant to give up any water to improve the river’s health.

Only Labor has a plan to stand up for the River Murray.