Speak Up ‘reinvigorated’ after year in recess

A group which is determined to highlight the need for governments to improve water policy is reinvigorated, after 12 months in recess.

The community-based Speak Up Campaign was brought back to life at this month’s annual general meeting, with a unanimous vote to again become active.

The meeting re-elected passionate community advocate Shelley Scoullar as its Chair, with fellow passionate water advocate David Farley taking the role of Deputy Chair. Sue Braybon continues as secretary/treasurer.

Mrs Scoullar said it was exciting to have Speak Up back and advocating for local communities at a time when it was needed more than ever.

“It is devastating for our communities that federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek continues to pursue water buybacks despite unequivocal evidence that they hurt Australian people.

“How can we continue electing these city-based politicians who don’t appear to have a care factor for rural Australia? Their poor decisions, based on the need to appease fellow city-based environmentalists, need to be called out. That’s what Speak Up will do,” Mrs Scoullar said.

She thanked those who attended the organisation’s AGM, as well as individuals and businesses who have renewed Speak Up membership so it has funds for its advocacy work.

“We would welcome more members and financial contributions, especially in the lead-up to the federal election when our focus will be on inner-city seats. Voters in these suburbs need to try and understand that the current approach is not going to save the Murray-Darling Basin.

“All we are going to do is store massive quantities of water in our dams, and as a consequence there will be less available for food production. This will continue to decimate our rural communities, while at the same time increasing our reliance on imports of staple foods and also increasing the cost of food at the supermarket.

“If those who do not understand the implications of current water policy keep supporting the approach of Water Minister Plibersek, they will be implicit in promoting the cost of living crisis for themselves and their fellow Australians. Her approach to the Basin Plan should be ringing alarm bells across the nation.”

After being re-elected to continue the work of Speak Up, Mrs Scoullar said she had been overwhelmed by the encouragement from people across southern NSW and northern Victoria to keep the group active.

“We can all see that if the Basin Plan remains on its current trajectory, we are putting our nation at great risk for future generations.

“We do not need to recover more water to achieve environmental outcomes, we need to be smarter and concentrate on the quality of water, not the quantity.”

Mrs Scoullar welcomed the election of  David Farley as Speak Up’s Deputy Chair.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership from not only broader agricultural experience, but also exposure to water reform in California and Arizona, where farmers and community have faced ongoing policy issues reducing their capacity to grow food and fibre.

“David and I share a similar passion: we want to see a healthy and prosperous nation, being led by people who have the skills and courage to make decisions that protect our food growing capacity for generations to come,” Mrs Scoullar said.

Anyone who wants to become a member to support the efforts of Speak Up should fill out a membership form, found on the website www.speakup4water.com, or email speakup4water@gmail.com