The National Party cannot be trusted with federal responsibility for water, according to independent Senator for SA Rex Patrick.

“Minister Keith Pitt’s response to the Productivity Commission’s National Water Reform 2020 Draft Report has shown why the Nationals simply can’t be trusted with the Water portfolio,” Senator Patrick says.

“The report released last week sounds the alarm on the need to tackle climate change, yet the National Party has consistently fought against measures to do so.”

National Party leader Michael McCormack has repudiated the call for Australia to set emissions targets, including zero emission by 2050, saying it’s too far in the future to worry about.

Senior Nationals Barnaby Joyce and Matt Canavan have echoed his views, despite organisations such as the National Farmers Federation supporting action on climate change.

“The Nationals are too self-interested and beholden to big irrigators to act responsibly in the national interest when it comes to Australia’s precious water resources,” Senator Patrick says.

“Prime Minister Scott Morrison knows this but is only interested in avoiding trouble with his partners.

“We’ve seen how much damage has been done to the Murray-Darling River under the stewardship of the Nationals, we can’t afford to allow them to continue to dictate water policy for the nation in our changing climate and the increased community demands and population.

“When it comes to water policy, the Nationals are the political equivalent of European Carp. One way or another they need to be flushed out if our vital waterways.

“Minister Pitt’s fixation on dams does nothing to solve the problem of water usage and scarcity.

“Water security is a national security issue that requires strong leadership.”