Call for Senate enquiry into water

Australian Democrat's Senator for Queensland, Andrew Bartlett, has called for a Senate Inquiry into water management in Australia. The federal and state governments are in discussions about water management arrangements in a last minute panic instigated by a crisis that consecutive Australian governments have precipitated by their environmental negligence. This situation, according to Senator Bartlett, is potentially a recipe for rash and ill-considered solutions.

"There was a serious lack of consultation during the development phase, with stakeholders such as the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and experts in the field left on the sidelines, and this is continuing to happen. The Murray-Darling Basin Commission has been forced to write letters to the Prime Minister outlining concerns because he refuses to consult properly."

"I will push to refer the federal government's water plan to a Senate Inquiry for thorough examination if the states give the deal the go ahead."

The Senate can play a constructive role in consulting widely and recommending sensible suggestions into the water management debate. The current sidelining of the Senate by the Government is missing opportunities to make parliament work effectively for the country on important matters, such as water management. particularly when the politicians with the most experience in environmental issues, The Greens and the Australian Democrats, can fully participate if the Senate is involved through an inquiry.

Technorati Tags: Australian politics, Australian Democrats, Water, Environment

Sustainable Transport

As part of a broader campaign to encourage sustainable living, members of the Queensland Democrats are helping support the Walk for Sustainable Transport in Brisbane on Saturday 17 February 2007. Here are the details:

• 11am meet at Queens Park, Brisbane City (Cnr George and Elizabeth Street)
• Talks by Phil Heywood (professor), Mary Maher (planner) and David Engwicht (author)
• Walk through city to parliament house

If we are to pursue sustainable lifestyles then it will be critical to encourage walking, cycling and use of public transport in our cities. This public demonstration of support for sustainable transport is an important part of civic activism to speed up the process of governmental support and encouragement for ways of living more gracefully on our planet.

Technorati Tags: Australian politics, Australian Democrats, Transport