National Irrigators’ Council (NIC) has welcomed the appointment of the member for Maranoa, David Littleproud to take on the role of Water Minister as part of the important Agriculture & Water Resources portfolio.
NIC CEO Steve Whan said Mr Littleproud was taking over the portfolio at an important time during the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan, when Basin communities are facing critical timelines with many of the Plan’s key elements are being decided by Commonwealth and State Water Ministers.
“The setback following yesterday’s Basin Water Ministers meeting demonstrates how quickly the Basin Plan implementation process can be derailed when one participating government seeks to putits own agenda above the interests of Basin communities and the agriculture industries that depend on certainty for their future planning, investment and jobs”, Steve Whan said.
“I look forward to meeting incoming Minister Littleproud who, as a federal member representing a large and diverse rural electorate,would well understand the issues that impact Basin communities and dependent agriculture industries.
“I acknowledge and thank the Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce for his efforts in steering critical elements of the Basin Plan through often challenging negotiations and wish him well with his new portfolio responsibilities in infrastructure and transport. NIC looks forward to continued engagement with Mr Joyce as part of his oversight of the Government’s dams policy.
“I also look forward to the continuing work with Senator Anne Ruston who as Assistant Minister has a key role in the water portfolio.”
Media Contact : Steve Whan 0429 780 883
20 December 2018