Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, is now an independent after resigning from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
The move came after Upper House SFF Party MPs did not show up for a crucial vote on floodplain harvesting.
Floodplain harvesting has been a contentious issue as NSW seeks to license and meter floodplain interception. Most agree that licensing and metering are vital, but to what volumes, is it the true 1993/94 cap on extraction? And what other added bonuses are proposed, 500% carryover? The licensing of floodplain harvesting will potentially be a multibillion-dollar windfall for northern irrigators, who are currently unlicenced and have continued to rapidly expand interception and storages post 1994. Historically, the Darling provided 39% of South Australia’s water, an allocation SA enjoys with no seasonal variability as 100% is essentially guaranteed. If the Darling doesn’t provide it, the Murray must, impacting Victorian and NSW communities.
Ms Dalton was elected in 2019 on the back of her strong stance on Murray electorate water issues, after contesting the seat in both 2015 and 2017. Murray had been strongly held by the National Party but as the electorate saw the complete lack of action surrounding water policy, leading to the destruction of sustainable industries, the collapse of rural towns and the damage to our rivers.
The breakup hasn’t been smooth sailing with Ms Dalton reporting, “Just before I resigned, the Shooters removed me as an administrator of my own Facebook page, then deleted it.”
“I will need to create a new page to communicate with constituents.”
Ms Dalton was granted control of her Facebook page on Tuesday, March 8 after an appeal.
In a media release, SFF took fire at Ms Dalton stating her position was no longer tenable and making claims of hidden deals.
“Under the guise of supporting farmers and southern irrigators, and unknowingly to the party, Helen continued to make hidden deals with Justin Fields and the Greens party over the past three years for environmental water to flow further south into South Australia.”
It is a claim Ms Dalton says is without merit.
“There’s no hidden deals at all,” said Ms Dalton.
“The party (SFF) is now aligned with the Nationals on water management which is a real disappointment,” said Ms Dalton.
“I’m absolutely relieved with the decision and I can truly represent the electorate.”
“I can’t be in a party that is autocratic and excludes me from certain decisions.”
Ms Dalton is looking forward to the future with a focus on improving hospital and mental health services in rural NSW; achieving fairer water sharing arrangements across the state and addressing the rural teacher shortage and housing crisis.
The SFF has stated they will continue to run a select committee into water trading inquiry and rerun the water register bill. SFF will contend the 2023 election with a new candidate.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 10 March 2022.
