‘Basin plan is flawed and must be paused’

SRI chair Chris Brooks said farmers wanted their water back and they would not be intimidated by Tony Burke and the Labor Party’s ‘‘ridiculous threats’’ to further undermine water rights.

Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley was heckled by the large crowd when she spoke while farmer Carly Marriot was treated like a rock star with her heart felt plea to pause the plan.

Cohuna dairy farmer Jodie Hay travelled to Albury because she believes the message is still not getting across.

“People are still not listening nor are they understanding the severity of the situation, especially the impact on our rural communities,” Jodie said.

She said the lack of national media coverage was once again disappointing.

“There was no mainstream media there and yet 1200 farmers and 140 trucks made their way to Albury — 100 vegans protesting in Melbourne get media coverage that lasts for three days.

“We don’t want to be disrespectful and participate in civil disobedience but once again our message went away unheard.”

Third generation Deniliquin farmer Alan Wragge also attended the rally.

“I love agriculture, I love my farm and I want to stay here. I envisage a pause of the plan and no more water for the environment until everyone sits down and works out what is going on — water needs to be brought back to the communities so we can keep our allocations and feed the nation,” Alan said.

He came away from the rally excited and rapt so many people supported the day.

“There were more than 1000 people, 140 trucks and 85,000 people have signed a petition to pause the plan — we need change. This sheer waste of water has to stop, the barrages need to be removed and we need some common sense,” he said.