VFF challenges Nicholls candidate’s water comment

By Geoff Adams

Apr 11, 2022

Flowing: The VFF has challenged a Nicholls electorate candidate’s remarks. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite

The VFF has challenged a Nicholls electorate candidate’s remarks on a Murray-Darling Basin water issue, delivered at a recent Echuca-Moama candidates’ forum.

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Liberal candidate Steve Brooks was arguing with Nationals candidate Sam Birrell about the 450 Gl of ‘up-water’ environmental savings that the basin states have pledged to find, provided it doesn’t cause socio-economic harm to basin communities.

Mr Birrell put it at the top of his list on basin issues, but Mr Brooks said the requirement to find the 450 Gl expired in a few years time “and that is not the number one issue”.

VFF Water Council chair Andrew Leahy told Country News the drive to find the 450 Gl was the number one threat to rural communities and irrigators.

He pointed to a recent statement by Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese, confirming an ALP government would deliver the 450 Gl.

Mr Leahy said the 450 Gl and the threat of water buybacks was a major worry for regional communities.

Speaking after the forum, Mr Brooks agreed that under any federal ALP government the delivery of the extra 450 Gl was a major threat.

He said his comments at the forum were related to the situation under a future Coalition government.

By Geoff Adams

Shepparton News assistant editor