Fed: Water buyback scheme just a 'flashy statement': Joyce

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2010
Fed: Water buyback scheme just a 'flashy statement': Joyce

Opposition water spokesman BARNABY JOYCE says the government is using its water buyback
scheme as a flashy statement with negligible benefit to the environment.

The Productivity Commission yesterday released a report on the scheme .. which found
problems with its design and questioned spending on water saving infrastructure.

Water Minister PENNY WONG says she'd consider the recommendations .. but is unlikely
to adopt all of them.

Senator JOYCE says the 303 million dollar purchase of Twynham Pastroral Company licences
.. which are reportedly 40 million dollars overpriced .. shows an ad-hoc scheme.

He's told Sky News that the Australian people ended up borrowing the money from overseas
to pay for it .. and the result was negligible for the Murray-Darling Basin.

AAP RTV gd/klw

KEYWORD: WATER JOYCE (CANBERRA)

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