Push for support: Burke calls for MPs to help secure $1.7b for basin

By Kieran Iles

Nov. 1, 2012, 3:30 a.m.

LEGISLATION involving the controversial Murray-Darling Basin Plan has finally reached parliament.

The legislation, introduced by Mr Burke yesterday, would set up a special account to release cash towards the cause over a 10-year period, starting in 2014.Water and Environment Minister Tony Burke yesterday called on MPs on all sides of politics to help secure an extra $1.77 billion to return up to 450 billion litres of extra water back into the Murray-Darling Basin.

It follows Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s announcement of plans to pump an extra 450 gigalitres into the Murray-Darling system from 2019 last week while visiting South Australia.

Mr Burke called on parliament to support the Bill in a bid to restore the basin area to health.

“After a century of getting it wrong, this Bill combined with the soon to be finalised Murray-Darling Basin Plan says that this parliament will not fail the basin,” he said.

“The system will return to health and the communities and the environment which are nourished by these mighty rivers will have a strong, resilient future.”

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