The Murray-Darling debate has laid bare the basic problem of how to support regional communities, and whether they should be asked to bear the cost of fixing an historic problem alone.
Murray Darling Basin
Case study: the ripple effects of water on regional communities
The impact of changes to water allocations in the MDB will be felt most in a single Federal electorate, that of Farrer. We asked its MP, Sussan Ley, to talk about how communities are likely to be affected.
Crikey Says: Compromise required on Murray-Darling basin
Very few issues are as critical or imminent as dealing with the problems confronting the Murray-Darling basin in a decisive and fair way.
Putting the environment over people
The Murray Darling Basin Plan released last week and the proposed cuts to water are extreme. The high social and economic costs just aren’t worth the environmental savings, writes Judith Sloan.
Murray-Darling allocation cuts have echoes of fishing mess
Water allocation cuts to the Murray-Darling have echoes of the Australian fishing industry restructure, writes Crikey naturalist Lionel Elmore.
Simons: it’s the story of a generation — shape up, media
Today we have one of the biggest stories in the nation’s history. And it isn’t even on the front page of most of today’s newspapers, nor is it heading many news bulletins. Margaret Simons can hardly believe it.
Political snippets: Vote I, stay put at home
If proof was needed that our political leaders are still in election mode, the way that they scurried off overseas but hurried home again surely provides it.
The raging Murray-Darling debate: an overview
The debate over how to allocate water from the Murray Darling Basin is raging once again with the Murray Darling Basic Plan finally being released today. Crikey intern Jane Vashti Ryan takes a look at the background, the players and the fight for the river.
Farmers anxious over Murray Darling water cuts
Farmers in the Murray Darling Basin are sweating over the prospect of big cuts in water entitlements by as much as 37%. The details were leaked from the guide to the Murray Darling Basin plan.
Murray-Darling Basin policies: bullshit detectors in overdrive
When politicians tell you that issues are “above politics” and that they’ll “end the politicking”, your bullshit detector should be twirling like a low-carbon wind turbine, writes Andrew Gregson.
Floods and levees: the regulatory failure that’s putting lives at risk
Queensland’s unregulated approach to water management is potentially putting lives at risk as levees proliferate across central Queensland
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.
