WE ARE WATCHING A MARKET RESTRUCTURE
For some years I have followed politics closely. I have attended numerous meetings, watched and observed how our politicians operate.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
I have paid attention to the various inquiries they have established (or not).
What I have come to notice is the seeming lack of participation of corporate Australian Agriculture in politics.
Their voice, on the whole, is totally absent. It leaves me to wonder why?
But when I look and watch water auctions, it starts to make sense.
The current arrangements benefit corporations too well. In the water market, the supply is ultimately limited.
If you want to participate in an auction, you simply must have the deepest pocket - and corporate Agriculture does.
Eventually, it goes without question, corporate Australia will end up with the most water.In the Riverina, we witnessing a market restructure.
We are witnessing a transition of this region from family farmers to ownership of Australian water entitlements by major corporations and multinational firms.
The problem is, nowhere in the world does this end well for locals. Like mines being owned by overseas concerns, billions in profits leave the region while only a few locals hold jobs.
But it is not too late. We can try to keep the profits of irrigation here to support our communities by changing the water market.
The question is, do we want to and are the politicians listening?
Greg Adamson, Griffith
'PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR ANOTHER REPORT'
Water Minister David Littleproud, like his mates at the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, is extremely reluctant to admit anything is wrong with their disastrous water management.
In their mind, denial is bliss.
However, at least Mr Littleproud is now acknowledging that changes are needed to water trading and the water market.
As everyone else has been able to see for a long time, having speculators buying and selling water for massive profit, but no intention of growing food, is not good for our nation.
I would encourage Mr Littleproud to do something that would seem right out of character, but is desperately needed. I encourage him to act now to fix the anomalies.
Please don't wait for another bureaucratic report, another sitting of parliament or another two, three or four rounds of meetings. Do it now!
The Minister keeps telling myself and fellow farmers that he cares and wants to help but he can't make it rain. We understand he cannot make it rain, but we also understand there are things which can be done, but we see nothing.
Water is not gold or a commodity that should be traded. It is a vital input that helps us grow the fresh food that goes on the tables of Australian families.
If Mr Littleproud truly believes he is a leader, fixing the water market mess would be a good start to showing our farmers that he is genuine about taking steps to repair the damage by government to our businesses and communities.
He needs to get those without land out of the water market and only allow it to be traded by people who own land. Nothing else is acceptable.