ALLEGATIONS of water theft – and NSW government corruption – are set to be given an almighty stir on Thursday and Friday with Minister Niall Blair likely to face another Opposition grilling on Murray Darling Basin issues during NSW Budget Estimates.
Related
The hearing with the Primary Industries and Regional Water minister will take place in Sydney from 9am to 1pm on Friday – concurrent with Environment and Local Government issues, featuring Minister Gabrielle Upton.
Questions on the state’s new land clearing laws are also expected.
Nationals leader John Barilaro – as minister for Skills and Regional NSW – will face a hearing on Thursday afternoon, as will Police Minister Troy Grant, and Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Childhood Education, Sarah Mitchell.
NSW Labor and the Greens have kept the pressure on Mr Blair since the Four Corners report Pumped, with Opposition Upper House members walking out during the last session of parliament to protest government’s response to questions on alleged corruption.
Meanwhile, Ken Matthews’ interim report into the issues raised by the Four Corners report is also due to be tabled on Thursday or Friday.
Mr Blair appointed Mr Matthews to carry out the independent review, covering alleged water theft and meter tampering by irrigators in the Barwon-Darling, as well as departmental misconduct. The report released this week is an initial assessment, with Mr Matthews’ full report due by November 30.
A Senate inquiry into the issues raise by the Pumped program will also run this year, conducted by the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee.
Alex Druce
Politics and rural issues journo in Sydney. Give me a yell at adruce@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Politics and rural issues journo in Sydney. Give me a yell at adruce@fairfaxmedia.com.au
