Government introduces Water Amendment Bill
The Federal Government has introduced a bill aimed at assisting in delivering economic, social and environmental outcomes for the Murray Darling Basin.
The Water Amendment (Long-term Average Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment) Bill 2012 will formalise the framework in the Water Act for a mechanism that will commit the Government to a triple bottom line outcome.
"The Government has been clear that we are committed to a Plan for the Murray Darling Basin that restores our rivers to health, supports regional communities and ensures sustainable food production," Mr Burke said.
"The Authority was always going to recommend a Sustainable Diversion Limit which would have environmental, social and economic outcomes.
"The Bill we have introduced creates a framework for a mechanism that says if you can improve on any one of these without hurting the others, you should be able to."