Water is a precious commodity and shouldn’t be available in huge amount to only one section of the community.

And it should not be open to allow anyone to take unmeasured amounts – that would be plain thievery.

As it is, there are millions of litres taken by Coca Cola at a pittance. And it wouldn’t hurt to have that aspect looked into as well. A long standing government contract I presume, but one which should be reconsidered.

There were enough aspects in the ABC Story to leave the matter open to suspicion which is why there should be an inquiry.

This email is in response to my letter of protest about the management of the Murray Darling Basin etc. 

Mr Burke is the only MP to reply ...

Thanks for emailing me about the Murray Darling Basin. The ABC’s Four Corners program on Monday night was shocking.

If it's true, that environmental water paid for by the tax payer is being pumped back into irrigation channels and dams, then the entire reform is in jeopardy.

We need to make sure these practices and any complicit behaviour from government officials is uncovered, exposed and stopped.

Barnaby Joyce’s response has been unbelievably weak. He has brushed off responsibility for the allegations, claiming they were a state issue.

The whole point of Murray Darling Reform was to say we wouldn’t leave it as a state issue.

Treating the rivers as though they weren’t a connected system is exactly how the health of the basin collapsed in the first place.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull needs to step in and work through the COAG process to reach agreement on a judicial inquiry that is able to get to the bottom of what has happened and determine whether or not the allegations aired on Monday night represent a more endemic problem.

It’s going to be a long campaign and I’m asking for your help.

Please sign my petition to add your name to the community of people who will defend the Murray Darling Basin.

When Labor was in Government we got the Murray Darling Basin Plan in place after a century of conflict and the entire plan is now at risk.

The purpose of the reform was to restore the system to health, but the plan becomes meaningless if there is no integrity to the system for measuring water.

The Murray Darling Basin plan must be delivered in full and on time if there is any hope for the health of the basin.

As Environment Minister I worked tirelessly to get this Plan in place and fought hard to get all the states on board.

I want your help to fight for the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

Can you sign the petition to show your support?

I will keep you updated on further developments as they occur.

Betty Brady, Griffith.

Regional councils have swept the field at a series of special awards handed out to mark Local Government Week 2017, which ran from 31 July to August 6.

Regional councils took out all seven of the RH Dougherty Awards handed out by Local Government NSW (LGNSW) in Sydney last week to encourage and recognise best-practice communication by councils.

LGNSW President Cr Rhoades paid particular tribute to Leeton Shire Council’s Communications and Marketing Coordinator Brent Lawrence, who took out the Outstanding Individual Contribution in Communications Award for his community engagement role.

“This is a well-deserved accolade for Brent and Leeton Shire Council,” Leeton Shire Council GM Jackie Kruger said.

Leeton Shire Council.