A showcase of produce from throughout the Murray-Darling will be held in Parliament tonight with the inaugural Taste of the Basin.
The event has been organised by Basin-based MPs and Senators to highlight the vital role the Murray-Darling Basin plays in the production of food and fibre.
Deniliquin-based Senator and Shadow Water Minister Perin Davey said the event is an opportunity to showcase the variety of produce from the Basin including wine, dairy, rice, fruits, nuts, and cotton – all of which are dependent on irrigation.
“Producers will be able to tell politicians firsthand how important our rivers are to food and fibre production from Queensland to South Australia in our nation’s food bowl,” Senator Davey said.
“Unlimited water buybacks will impact our productivity and will make food prices in Australia more expensive.
“Everyone wants a healthy river, but they also want healthy industries and communities and to do that we need jobs across the supply chain. I sincerely hope that the Water Minister doesn’t hide from talking to producers face to face, to hear their serious concerns about the water buybacks.”
Federal Nationals Leader and Shadow Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said Labor’s water buybacks would hurt Basin communities, putting food and fibre production at risk.
“Labor is forging ahead with water buybacks, which ignore the economic and social safeguards for an additional 450 gigalitres,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The Maranoa electorate will play a vital role in the Taste of the Basin event. It is crucial our politicians consider the impact of water buybacks, which will drive up the cost of food and fibre and continue to hurt families who are already struggling with a cost-of-living crisis.
“Our aim is to make those attending the Taste of the Basin see, smell, taste and touch what is at risk. Of course, it’s not just food and fibre but regional communities that will be impacted.”
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