Friday, 21 September 2007

MOKOAN PRESSURE IN PARLIAMENT CONTINUES

Bill Sykes, Nationals MP for Benalla and vocal advocate for retaining Lake Mokoan in some form, kept the issue up front in Parliament this week and directly with the Minister for Water.

Dr Sykes said, “I’m doing my part to ensure that the new Minister for Water is well informed on Lake Mokoan, in particular the flaws in the Government’s proposal to decommission the Lake and the benefits of the alternative to retain a mini Lake Mokoan.

Dr Sykes actions this week included:

• A notice of motion congratulating the Minister on the change in attitude of Government organisations such as Goulburn Murray Water (GMW), who at long last are prepared to make flood information available, and requesting the Minister to support an independent expert assessment of the mini Mokoan proposal;
   
• Statements during debate on The Fisheries Amendment Bill highlight the benefits of the mini Mokoan proposal;
   
• Speaking directly with the Minister for Water (who as indicated his desire to make a decision on Lake Mokoan sooner rather than later) and suggesting that the Minister inspects Barren Box Swamp – a successful working example of the mini Mokoan proposal.

Dr Sykes concluded, “Mr Holding is a capable Minister who says that he has an open mind on Mokoan.

“Given that the mini Mokoan proposal is a winner on all fronts I remain cautiously optimistic about a favourable outcome.

“In the meantime I have plenty more Questions on Notice for the Minister and several more requests under the Freedom of Information Act to flush out the true facts on Lake Mokoan and to keep the issue at the top of the Minister’s Water Reform Agenda.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989