Up to 12,000 people from the southern NSW town attended today’s meeting, with most of them strongly opposed to the draft plan’s proposed cuts of 2750 gigalitres which will go to the environment.

 

The Greens’ and environmental groups say that’s not enough and want at least 4000 gigalitres dedicated to the environment. The Greens are threatening to disallow the legislation unless that happens, when it comes to parliament next year.

 

“These are inner city Greens politicians and environmentalists preaching to the rest of us on how they think the river should be saved without thought to the livelihoods of farming communities,” Senator Nash said.

 

“Where do they think the milk in their lattes and wheat for their toast and eggs benedict come from?

 

“The Greens’ water spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, nor Leader, Bob Brown, have been seen or heard of visiting farming communities in the Riverina.

 

“She should have had the decency to attend today’s meeting in Griffith and the other MDBA meetings held so far, to hear first-hand the concerns of farmers and local communities. But she was too gutless.

 

“To give her a second chance, my Nationals colleague and Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack, and I invite her to the Riverina where we are happy to arrange meetings with farmers and communities.”