Queensland’s unregulated approach to water management is potentially putting lives at risk as levees proliferate across central Queensland
Murray Darling Basin
What’s a river worth?
A new report on the Mississippi-Delta is a refreshingly new approach to the valuation of natural ecosystems. Could it work for Australian rivers like the Murray-Darling? asks Bob Gosford.
The PC pleases no one on the Murray-Darling — just the way it should be
The Productivity Commission’s new report on the Murray-Darling Basin provides the tool kit for a more efficient water market and effective establishment of environmental flows. Too bad no one will pay attention.
Murray-Darling: deal or no deal?
SA Premier Mike Rann’s “deal” to deliver 400 gigalitres of water down the Murray is a crock, says Hendrik Gout: SA is simply going to get what it was already entitled to. Whoopie.
Abbott’s populist federalism pitch no silver bullet
Tony Abbott’s plan for Australia’s federal system amounts to a populist pitch, writes Paul Kildea. His ideas are bold and bracing, but they are no silver bullet.
Diving into water privatisation is a suicidal leap
Communities on all continents bear deep scars as a result of the crusades of water privateers, writes Dr Ian Douglas. There is no reason to believe that Australia is safe.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: Labor sniggers quietly into their lattes
Why exactly is the Labor government staying quiet while Tony Abbott blabs his mouth to the media about his plans to take full control over the Murray-Darling Basin if elected?
The letter Mike Rann should have sent Rudd
SA Premier Mike Rann penned a letter this week to PM Kevin Rudd demanding a share of the floodwater that NSW was receiving. Too little, too late, says SA Lib Senator Simon Birmingham, who offered an alternative letter of what Rann should say to Rudd.
Remember the Murray-Darling? It’s still in deep trouble …
While the Murray-Darling has dropped out of the media cycle, the goal of sustainable management remains as far off as ever, particularly after events this month.
Sheehan: Rudd just an environmental blowhard of hot air
We can’t blame Kevin Rudd entirely for climate change and global warming. But we can blame him for making it even worse, writes Paul Sheehan. Rudd’s green credentials are disappearing faster than the Murray Darling Basin.
Sheehan: Kevin Rudd, environmental blowhard
Kevin Rudd likes to present himself as a champion of the environment, but his failure to save the Murray Darling Basin suggests otherwise, says Paul Sheehan.
Life in an empty basin
While scientists fret about a future world without water, for the people of the Murray Darling Basin, it is already a way of life. Meet the communities who have literally been left high and dry.
National Water Commission report: going backwards on environmental management
The National Water Commission’s report on water reform may be one of the most dispiriting government reports ever compiled. River systems are collapsing and regional communities suffering.
Queensland farmers rise up to take on the miners
Queensland’s Surat Basin has the third largest energy resource in the world but farm groups are warning that mining areas risk catastrophic environmental damage to food-producing areas, reports Amanda Gearing.
Murray Darling deals in a shocking state
While NSW and the Commonwealth have agreed to a deal that will see the lifting of NSW’s embargo on water trading, Victoria and Queensland aren’t cooperating. Bernard Keane breaks it down.
Crikey Says: We really are the lucky country, but…
Alright, we’ll admit it. Politicians have done a fairly decent job of running the nation for the last 20 years. However, climate change failings won’t be easily forgiven.
Cubbie won’t wash away govt water woes
The government is doing too little too late with water allocation in the Murray Darling Basin. Buying the controversial Cubbie Station will not improve the water woes, writes Ben Eltham.
Snatch the Murray-Darling Basin from the states to save it
There’s a clear solution to the management problems of the Murray-Darling, at least in the view of many South Australians: a full Commonwealth takeover of the Basin, writes Bernard Keane in his second special water report.
Murray-Darling: same mess it always was
In the first of a two-part series, Bernard Keane looks at just how little has changed — and how much has been spent — in the fight to save the Murray-Darling Basin.
Mungo MacCallum: Another week of carry on up the Murray
For the casual observer, last week was political Send in the Clowns week, writes Mungo MacCallum.
Murray River a toxic open drain – why don’t we care?
How did this become okay? Asks the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists.
Stimulus secured: A Xenophon stunt — on a massive scale
Today’s passage of the stimulus package is Nick Xenophon’s biggest stunt yet, writes Bernard Keane.
Water regulation reveals our dysfunctional federal farrago
Rarely has there been such a clear example of why we need a massive program of regulatory harmonisation between the states, writes Bernard Keane.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Comments, corrections, clarifications, and c*ckups
GM food … World Youth Day … the Murray Darling … GM Food … global warming …
Tips and rumours
Myer’s Dubai announcement deserves a closer look (and it’s a shame that no journalists has yet done so, apart from swallowing the company’s spin). Just what are they exporting? As many Crikey tipsters have rightly pointed out, service at Myer is bad and getting worse. Labour is one of the biggest costs, and hacking it […]
