This morning on ABC radio, Tony Abbott's newly appointed Shadow Minister for Water, Barnaby Joyce was asked whether he had any views on water policy.

Senator Joyce said:

“Not that I want to be publicly disclosed, no.”

That's not good enough.

Senator Joyce has previously made a number of irresponsible statements on the Murray Darling Basin.

He must today come clean on what he really thinks on three key questions for the Murray Darling Basin:

• Has he backed down from his opposition to Tony Abbott’s referendum?
•  Does he believe that the Federal Water Minister must introduce a new Basin-wide plan that will give river health the top priority and ensure that much less water is taken from the rivers?
•  Does he still oppose buying back water entitlements, or does he now accept it is the fastest way to return the rivers to health?

If Senator Joyce cannot answer these questions, he will be just as much a failure as Shadow Water Minister as he was when Shadow Finance Minister. 

Stay up to date

• Email subscriptions 
• RSS 
• What is RSS? 

About the Minister

• APH website
• Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency

Media contacts

Minister's Office
02 6277 7920

Before you download

Most publications are available as PDF files. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files.

If you are unable to access a publication, please contact us to organise a suitable alternative format.

Key

Links to another website
Opens a pop-up window