SA:Society backs SA Murray challenge

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-2011
SA:Society backs SA Murray challenge

By Tim Dornin

ADELAIDE, Dec 2 AAP - The Wilderness Society has backed South Australian government
moves to prepare for a possible High Court challenge to the plan to save the Murray.

Spokesman Peter Owen said SA's state and federal politicians should stand united to
ensure enough water was returned to the river to ensure its long-term health and to keep
the mouth open.

"South Australians want the river restored to health," Mr Owen said in a statement on Friday.

"There's one way to achieve this and it means reducing the water allocation of upstream
irrigators."

Mr Owen said if that could not be achieved through the Murray-Darling Basin plan, then
court action might be the only alternative.

"If the Draft Basin Plan won't deliver, then the High Court option must be explored
in order to restore our rights to a healthy river," he said.

"The stakes could not be higher."

On Thursday, Premier Jay Weatherill said the state government had taken preliminary
legal advice for a possible court challenge that could be based on the state's constitutional
rights.

"The view I have formed is that there are sound arguments for the proposition that
the Australian constitution assumes that states are equal and that this means they are
entitled to the mutual benefits of the waters of trans-boundary rivers like the Murray,"

Mr Weatherill said.

"It is important to understand that our legal position mirrors our fundamental premise
about the river.

"We in South Australia have a right to be treated as equals in respect of its use."

Mr Weatherill said the state government stood by its scientific advice that between
3500 and 4000 gigalitres should be returned to the Murray to ensure its ongoing health.

Tat was well below the 2750gl recommended by the Murray-Darling Basin draft plan, he said.

AAP tjd/mp

KEYWORD: MURRAY SA

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