The Federal Government is buying up water for the environment from irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin and is on track to finish the purchase of 450 Gl before the next federal election.
The purchases are supposed to be carried out without causing socio-economic detriment to the rural communities, but stakeholders have argued that the water buybacks are damaging the regions.
“I don’t think they are holding up their end of the bargain,” Senator Canavan said at Tatura on Wednesday, September 2.
“There was meant to be a socio-economic test for the purchases.
“The 450 (Gl) is not being purchased on the basis they promised.”
When asked how that would help, when the purchases are likely to be finished before the election, Senator Canavan said a coalition government would ensure in the future when investments are made in dams and upgrading water efficiency supply options, the water will go to farmers.
“The environment,” he said, “has got enough water”.
Dams would be on the agenda of a future government.
Senator Canavan has been critical of the EU free trade agreement, negotiated by the Labor government.
Senator Canavan has accused the government of boasting access of up to 35,000 tonnes of beef over time, measured in carcase weight terms.
Until 2019, Australian beef producers had access to a global EU quota of 67,000 tonnes in carcase weight tonnes terms.
“But in 2019, the EU did a ‘ring-fencing’ side deal with the first Trump administration that reduced Australia’s access to below 5000 tonnes carcase weight.”
Speaking at Tatura, Senator Canavan said the meat allowance was small.
“We’re I’m from, there are farms that produce more than 50,000 tonnes of meat,” he said.
“It’s not a big amount.
“That’s why you have seen consistent view of the farm sector that it’s not a good deal.
“We stand with them in saying it’s not a good deal for Australia.
“One of the most egregious part of the deal for Australia is the selling out of our dairy producers.
Senator Canavan said he couldn’t see why Australia would remove a tariff on European cheese, while European cheese makers continue to receive over $17 billion in assistance every year.
“The average cheese maker in the EU gets up to 30 per cent of their income from government subsidies,” he said.
“It’s completely unfair to expose our industry to that sort of competition.”
Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell said an FTA which allowed subsidised dairy products coming into the country, he couldn’t support.
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