We do of course share his interest in ensuring that the Murray-Darling is returned to environmental health, but we also want to ensure that communities that rely on the use of water have their jobs and industry sustained as well and that those communities continue into the future in a healthy way.
Senator STORER (South Australia) (14:35):
My question is directed to the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. South Australians deserve reliable information about the sustainability of the Murray-Darling system. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has recently commissioned the University of Melbourne to deliver a report into return flows. Will the University of Melbourne collect any new primary data on return flows, for instance through remote sensing, or will the research rely largely on the review of old data?
Senator CANAVAN (Queensland—Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) (14:36):
I thank Senator Storer for his question. I do not have detailed information, I’m sorry, on the University of Melbourne work. I will have to take that question on notice and come back to the senator. We do of course share his interest in ensuring that the Murray-Darling is returned to environmental health, but we also want to ensure that communities that rely on the use of water have their jobs and industry sustained as well and that those communities continue into the future in a healthy way. We believe we have done that. I want to pay tribute to the work that Minister Littleproud has done—and to the work that other parties in this place have done—to finalise a Murray-Darling Basin plan that will help achieve those things.
The PRESIDENT:
Senator Storer, a supplementary question.
Senator STORER (South Australia) (14:37):
Is it the case that no new primary data measurement is being, or will be, undertaken by or for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to accurately measure return flows, including surface flows and deep drainage?
Senator CANAVAN (Queensland—Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) (14:37):
Sorry, I will have to apologise. As I’m not the responsible minister myself, I’ll have to take that detail on notice and come back to the Senate.
The PRESIDENT:
Senator Storer, a final supplementary question?
Senator STORER (South Australia) (14:37):
How is it possible to have an accurate reconciliation, as required by law in 2004, unless that return-flow data has been measured?
Senator CANAVAN (Queensland—Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) (14:37):
Once again, I do apologise, but I will take it on notice and come back to the Senate with that information.
