Class Action?

As the erosion of the natural constraints continues unabated, locals are left wondering what options they have left. The river that supports towns, ecosystems, irrigation, and life seems to be collateral damage of, ironically, a plan to ‘Save the Murray’.

Dairy and avocado producers, Phill and Pam O’Neill, are one of hundreds, if not thousands, of affected parties. The O’Neills, as dairy farmers, have faced numerous challenges resulting from the Murray Darling Basin Plan and corresponding water policy changes. From sky-rocketing water prices and huge reduction in allocation reliability, the O’Neills, like many, adapted, choosing to grow avocados. Now as their core infrastructure is on the brink of being eroded away, who wears the cost?

Our environment is not fairing any better – Ramsar listed forest eroding, platypus, Azure kingfisher and fish habitat affected, and water quality issues. In speaking with scientists and ecologists they estimate there are as many as nine federal environment laws being broken in our region alone.

The Murray Darling Basin Plan was a $13 billion political plan, starting with protection criteria of environment, economy and community. Now they represent more of a target list. Mid-Murray communities, food producers and our environment and ecosystems seem to be blind spots, much like Menindee and the Lower Darling. 

How does this continue, where is the press conference or even a press release by Federal Water Minister, Keith Pitt, or the Federal Environment Minister and Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley? 

Does our political system actually work? Should something as precious as water be a political football kicked between lobbyists, traders and securing votes?

We will continue to expose the huge failing. The recent NSW ICAC report is nothing but damning, the most recent Productivity Commission report actually celebrates trading and expansion of permanent plantings with no consideration for land suitability, water delivery, market stability or food security.

Maybe a class action is in order? Southern Riverina Irrigators (SRI) has proven the effectiveness of such a step. SRI has repeatedly held government to account on the regular flouting of laws and the manipulation of data and reform implementation. 

Basically, there appears no other choice to seek justice. Government cannot be held accountable for breaking the rules, environmental or otherwise, they are immune, untouchable. 

If political governance is allowed to continue in its current form, we are teaching the leaders of tomorrow all the wrong things to be effective. Ethics, honesty, wisdom and understanding have been modernised into a non-contact form of the ‘Hunger Games’. No blood, political survival is the objective and if you can get away with it, you can do it. If you can’t get away with it, you and your colleagues adjust the legislation. 

Parting thought: what percentage of time do water bureaucracy employees spend in an office, as opposed to looking at the problem they are trying to fix or even understand? Try it out next time your mower won’t start, ring a mechanic in Canberra and ask them what’s wrong.