A large and passionate crowd of 3000 descended on the riverbank, demanding a pause in the Murray Darling Basin Plan – and the resignation of Federal Water Minister David Littleproud.
Tired of repeated attempts to have their desperate pleas heard, an effigy of Mr Littleproud was flung into the river from the Tocumwal bridge, which was shutdown during the rally.
This wasn’t just a protest, some genuine solutions were proposed to help take away some of the pain the community is feeling, including immediately allocating a 1000Gl of conveyance water to southern basin irrigators.
Blighty dairy farmer and speaker Lachlan Marshall, who has started the heart breaking process of destocking his dairy herd, told the crowd continued water mismanagement going unchecked must be stopped.
“If it occurred at this level in any other sector — health, education or public transport — heads would roll and we would have a royal commission,” Mr Marshall told the faithful.
“But in water, because it is a very complex area, the Minister is being allowed to get away with it. Enough is enough.”
The absence of Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley was also highlighted, with one speaker describing her as “missing in action” and a protester sign quoting ‘Desperately Seeking Sussan’.
Southern Riverina irrigators have found themselves in the same position as they were last year – zero allocation, skyrocketing costs, crops dying and a Federal member who according to Mr Marshall, appeared to be like the comic book character Susan Storm, the invisible woman.
He also described Mr Littleproud as Aquaman.
Both Federal Ministers were unavailable in person and could not be contacted by phone for comment.
Mr Littleproud’s office later emailed “he will continue to meet with irrigators and communities across the basin however it is difficult for me to meet with anyone taking legal action against the Commonwealth before that action is resolved'”.
When asked if he would resign his office, Mr Littleproud and his office declined to comment.
Independent MP for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed called for Federal Member for Nicholls, Damian Drum, to quit the Nationals for the cross benches, stand up for his community and help fix the basin plan.
Rally organiser Jan Beer said there were immediate, medium and long-term solutions which would overcome many of the present issues, but the Federal Government was refusing to listen.
“We are desperate to work with governments to develop a basin plan that provides the social, economic and environmental balance we were promised," Ms Beer said.
Rally organiser Darcy Hare said he was “exceptionally happy” with the turnout, considering people travelled for hours to attend.
“The tide is starting to turn,” Mr Hare said. Pat Nicholson from Girgarre said he attended the rally because water was impacting his dairy business and without change, he – along with many other farming businesses in northern Victoria – would not be there in the future.
“There was so much support there today — not just from farmers and irrigators, but the wider community as well,” Mr Nicholson said.
“I think it sends a clear message, especially to the politicians who were not there, something is happening and they can't continue to bury their heads in the sand.”
