The 2017 budget has met the commitments the government has made with funding for water related programs, including resourcing for Commonwealth agencies involved in water and infrastructure investment.

What is particularly good though, is to have a Deputy Prime Minister who stands up at a budget breakfast and says he wants people to ‘understand you get a multiple increase in agricultural production with irrigation’”. 

It is vital that the Australian community has an appreciation of how much of the export growth to Asia, that we hear so much about, is driven by agricultural productivity and how important irrigated agriculture is to that. 

Fruit, vegetables and dairy are three of the areas that will see massive demand increase from Asia, demand Australia can help satisfy, with an efficient, sustainable and growing irrigation industry.

This budget’s allocations reflect commitments to ongoing funding announced mid-year to Commonwealth water agencies, including the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Murray Darling Basin Authority and Bureau of Meteorology.

The budget reiterates the commitment made to funding associated with the Murray Darling Basin plan. That’s particularly important for infrastructure and it is very good that a non-flow measure in the Carp Control program continues to be funded.

We look forward to seeing much more progress on other non-flow measures including cold water pollution, improving fish migration through fish-ways, restoration of native fish habitat and feral animal and weed control in wetlands and riparian areas.

Importantly the budget continues funding commitments for infrastructure within and outside the Murray Darling Basin and it meets an election commitment to establish a Regional Investment Corporation to administer the $2 billion National Water Infrastructure Loan facility.

Steve Whan

Chief executive officer

National Irrigators’ Council 

WHOLESALE electricity price rises are set to increase bills by as much as 20 percent by July, and as a consequence, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is anticipating a dramatic increase in the number of requests for help this winter.

The costs that make up many of the essentials of life are rising faster than the CPI, in particular, the cost of housing, health and utilities.

The anticipated energy price surge will hit the hip pockets of low and middle income earners really badly.

The average electricity debt has already risen from $529 in June 2014 to $631 in June 2015, according to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).

The Society relies heavily on donations from the public especially in winter when families are forced to choose between buying shoes, a hot meal or paying their heating bill.

Last winter the Society distributed over $4 million worth of assistance to people experiencing disadvantage.

We anticipate a much greater need this year. Every day in NSW the Society helps thousands of people through home visitation, hospital visitation, prison visitation, homeless services and more.

Donate to the Vinnies 2017 winter appeal and help us continue to support ordinary heroes.

Visit vinnies.org.au or call 13 18 12. Residents can also donate at the Leeton store in Kurrajong Avenue. 

Denis Walsh 

State President 

St Vincent De Paul Society