The Nationals have been driving hard on this issue, no doubt identifying the sensitivity of the electorate to the loss of water from agriculture.
So the current Federal Member for Nicholls’ strident criticism of the government’s grab for environmental water for the Murray-Darling Basin at the April 14 forum can be understood.
“We've suffered a lot of pain as a result of [the buybacks],” Mr Birrell, a former agronomist, told the NIcholls forum.
“The problem is this government wants to go back into the market and recover a further 450 gigalitres, and it's just not on.
“It damages our industries, it damages our kids’ futures, it damages our sovereign ability to grow food.”
The Murray-Darling Basin Plan has already secured 2100 Gl of environmental water but the Federal Government is determined to extract a further 450 Gl — which it is likely to achieve, if the ALP is re-elected.
The Coalition has been unable to convince the government to change its mind on this point and Mr Birrell acknowledges it has been hard to even get a hearing from Water Minister Tanya Plibersek.
He spoke to her at an event at Parliament House where he introduced her to electorate people over a meal of Nicholls produce.
“She listened, but her subsequent decisions didn’t reflect a real understanding of the issues or any empathy with the people she met,” Mr Birrell said.
He believes the water approach is being driven by their need to support the Greens for preferences or not having them threatened in inner city seats.
Further background may be that Ms Plibersek didn’t want environment and water portfolios, and the prime minister deliberately kept her away from her favoured portfolios.
“These Canberra political games have impacts on people trying to run businesses in my [and other basin] electorates,” Mr Birrell said.
“That’s the frustration I have is that political dances within parties would lead to something like that happening, because these are real people we are talking about.”
Never-the-less, the election means a possibility that the Coalition could achieve government and Mr Birrell could be part of that government.
His first term in politics has been in opposition, how would he prepare to be in government and what does he have in his top drawer if the Coalition makes government?
His to do list includes: water policies, a more flexible industrial relations policy, sorting out the “energy mess”, and the proposed $20 billion future fund. About $1 billion annually will be available for regional communities.
“Let’s work out together with the people of Nicholls, what our priorities are.”
But would it be too late to stop the buybacks?
“I don’t know what has been contracted ... there’s not much transparency around what contracts have been signed and where the water has come from.
”It’s appalling that government would behave in this way.“
Meanwhile, the neighbouring electorate of Bendigo is getting a lot of attention as conservative parties try to wrest it away from sitting member Lisa Chesters, and the Nicholls electorate has been spared the cavalcade of Canberra leaders trying to attract attention.
Nationals leader David Littleproud hasn’t yet visited one of the safest seats in Victoria.
Does this mean Nicholls is being taken for granted?
“If that’s what gets people excited, then okay, but for me, getting a commitment of $20 million for the [Shepparton] sports stadium, that’s what matters to people.
“If David is here to do it or not, the fact is that if we are in government, it gets built.
“And if Andrew [Lethlean, Nationals] gets up in Bendigo, that’s one step closer to getting us into government and getting the stadium built.
“That’s more important than David Littleproud or [Senator] Bridget McKenzie visiting.
“The fact that our leadership has authorised me to make an announcement on the sports stadium, and the water policies the party supports for Nicholls, shows we are not taking Nicholls for granted.
“As long as they are backing me when I ask for something for the community, that’s what is important to me.”
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