Royal Commission – Nats say YES – Libs say NO

Member for Barwon Roy Butler welcomed the news today that the NSW Nationals are backing his party’s call for a Royal Commission into the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party have been calling for a Royal Commission into water for many months now. Pursuing a Royal Commission was one of the commitments the party made in its 10-point water plan.

“Our political pressure and the pressure from the community has today seen the NSW Nationals finally stand by the comments of their leader in Menindee and support the calls for a Royal Commission,” said Mr Butler.

Following the issuing of a Media Release today from the Leader of The Nationals backing a Royal Commission, the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party sought to suspend Parliament to debate the need for a Royal Commission. The Liberal-National Government voted against this call.

“The NSW Nationals made the right noises publicly sending out a media release backing the calls for a Royal Commission. They then voted against suspending Parliament for a debate and vote to request the Premier of NSW issue letters that implement a Royal Commission into the Basin Plan.

“It’s time the NSW Nationals put actions to their words. After today, I will be watching the NSW Nationals closely,” said Mr Butler.

“To them I say – NSW Nationals, you have now publicly spoken. You must now publicly act.”

The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party have consistently raised the need to clean up water management across NSW in the Parliament. 

“The mismanagement of water is destroying our rivers, communities, industries and public confidence. Decisions are being made under a shroud of secrecy; these decisions are severely affecting communities, irrigators and farmers.

“It’s time to bring water management and decision-making out from the shadows. We need to air the issues and the only way to do that properly is a Royal Commission.

“A Royal Commission is the ultimate in transparency and accountability – it means that instead of just showing the cards you like, you have to put the whole hand on the table. Including the crappy cards.

“The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party’s calls for a Royal Commission are about clearing public concerns around the integrity of the irrigation industry and water management practices.”

Read more: 

Barwon MP Roy Butler presents Terms of Reference for independent inquiry into water management