27 November 2008 in Media
Claims by Federal Water Minister Penny Wong that the $50 million emergency assistance package for the people of the Lower Lakes and Goolwa was a political stunt shows how out of touch she is with the issues affecting the area.
Ms Wong was speaking after the Senate passed a Bill supporting the immediate release of the funds to help those businesses facing financial ruin from the lack of water.
The people of the area are frustrated and angry and believe their plight is being ignored by the current government.
There is a genuine need to help these communities in the short term to get through this current crisis.
The financial assistance package we have proposed is designed to help small businesses and community facilities in their hour of need.
There are long term structural issues being dealt with in the Murray Darling Basin however we must assist those who are suffering in the short term.
I welcome the Senate’s support for the coalition’s proposal and hope the Prime Minister and his Minister for Water will recognise the importance of this proposal.