C'wealth Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Water

"Labor opposes the Howard Government's proposal to dam the Tweed or Clarence Rivers or any of the smaller rivers connected to them.

 

The Howard Government's plan to dam the Tweed or Clarence Rivers has the "impassioned support" of the Prime Minister (Daily Telegraph, 13/4/07). 

 

John Howard said the plan to dam the rivers and pump the water was a "common sense" approach to the crisis.  "It passes the common sense pub test," Mr Howard told Southern Cross Radio in Brisbane on 16 April 2007. 

 

The Minister for Environment and Water, Malcolm Turnbull, "vigorously supported the plan" (The Australian, 13/4/07).

 

On Wednesday 13 June 2007, Malcolm Turnbull confirmed in Parliament that the Howard Government's recent Report on damming the Tweed and Clarence Rivers was a "first step" and "first base" in getting the dams built.

 

Labor is listening to the concerns of northern rivers communities that damming the Tweed or Clarence Rivers will significantly damage the environment and economy of northern NSW.

 

Labor strongly supports working with local communities, local water authorities and State Governments in developing options for future water supply and, based on strong concerns raised by the NSW Government and northern rivers communities, we oppose the Howard Government's proposal to dam the Tweed and Clarence Rivers."

[Statement received from Anthony Albanese, Commonwealth Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Water,5 July 2007]