Friday, 23 November 2007

Sykes: Pipeline confession

Nationals MP for Benalla, Bill Sykes has admitted that he was nearly suspended from Parliament this week during a passionate debate on the North South Pipeline.

Dr Sykes explained, “I was so enraged by the Government members’ arrogance, ignorance, repeated use of rhetoric and outright lies that I gave them ‘both barrells’.

“A two hour debate on the pipeline was initiated by The Nationals and responses from the Minister referring to anti pipeline protesters as ‘quasi terrorists’ and ‘a sorry bunch of people’ set a low standard which Government back benchers slavishly followed.

Dr Sykes continued, “It is also particularly galling for the Minister and Government back benchers to ‘blindly’ quote figures from the Food Bowl Modernisation Report without at least being prepared to investigate National Party claims that Goulburn Murray Water’s own figures show losses in dry years to be much less, making achievement of claimed water savings (225 GL) in dry years, impossible.

“This project will also have massive social implications with over 3,000 families displaced mainly because they are served by small irrigation channels rather than the main channels.

Dr Sykes expanded, “A key aspect of the modernisation proposal is to focus on improved efficiency of the main channels and shifting the responsibility for water losses from small channels and their maintenance to farmers served by small channels. The cost of water to farmers served by those small channels will also be greater than those served directly from the main channels.

“This is clearly accelerated, massive social change to which the report allocates only four sentences on the impact of social change. This is disgraceful.”

Dr Sykes concluded, “I apologise to the Parliament for my unparliamentary behaviour but I renew my commitment the people of Northern Victoria to fight every inch of the way for justice and a fair go for all.”

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