Southern Riverina communities are being called on to ‘fight for our future’ at a rally next week. It aims to highlight the community concern at the social and economic damage that will be caused if water buybacks are introduced, as proposed by the Albanese Government.

Despite the huge volumes of water held by the Federal Government and the inability to deliver what they hold, Minister Plibersek is hell bent on adding to the more than 4,600 gigalitres held for the ‘environment’ without any detail of where the water will be held, stored or even delivered. “On time and in full” the political catch cry rings.

The Bill to reintroduce buybacks and remove social and economic protections for our communities is expected to be voted on in the Senate next week.

The rally will be held in the Multi-Arts Centre precinct of Waring Gardens in Cressy St, Deniliquin on Tuesday, November 21 from 12pm to 1pm.

The rally will form part of a series of simultaneous events held in regional Basin communities to oppose the rewrite of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. It has the support of numerous organisations, including Edward River Council, Berrigan Shire Council and the Riverina Murray Regional Organisation of Councils. Other councils are being encouraged to come on board. It is also backed by the community-based Speak Up Campaign, National Farmers Federation and numerous other organisations.

Speak Up chair Shelley Scoullar said the rally may be the last opportunity for our communities to influence cross-bench Senators, who will decide whether or not the controversial Bill is passed.

“I would strongly encourage everyone who can possibly ‘down tools’ and attend the rally to do so,” Mrs Scoullar said.

There will be a range of speakers at the rally, highlighting the indisputable evidence of the damage caused to local communities from water buybacks.

“We still find it almost impossible to believe that unchecked buybacks are back on the agenda after so many reports which show the damage they cause to our local economies and the people who suffer,” Mrs Scoullar said.

She encouraged business operators to close their doors for a short time on Tuesday so staff can attend the rally, or if this is not possible, to operate for a short time on a skeleton staff.

“I understand this is inconvenient, but the stakes are high. We have been fighting various aspects of the Basin Plan for over a decade, but when the job losses and personal hurt from previous buybacks became so obvious, we at least thought this was not a battle that would have to be fought again.

“So, it is vital that we stand strong and united in opposing this blatant attempt to secure South Australian and city-based environmental votes at our expense,” Mrs Scoullar said.

“A range of independent reports highlighted what buybacks do to our communities. This is why state and federal governments placed a cap on the amount of water that could be acquired, and introduced a neutrality test to guarantee no adverse social and economic effects.

“It is beyond comprehension that with all the evidence, Plibersek tears up the bipartisanship and is prepared to sacrifice our communities for political gain. We need a big crowd at this rally to send the clear message that this is unacceptable, even in today’s harsh political world,” Mrs Scoullar said.

She said it was disappointing the Water Minister had never bothered to visit the Southern Riverina to discuss the solutions which have been prepared by local organisations as an alternative to buybacks.

“All we are seeking is a fair go and the balanced Basin Plan that was promised by the current Minister’s colleague, Tony Burke, over a decade ago. We want promises honoured and we want our communities protected; surely that is not too much to ask,” Mrs Scoullar said. 

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 16 November 2023.