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The Forum > Article Comments > Water shambles > Comments

Water shambles : Comments

By Kellie Tranter, published 15/9/2010

The open trading of Australia's water supplies to overseas investors and speculators should be reviewed.

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This is just letting Global Corporates reduce us even more to serfdom.It is about time we woke up.
Posted by Arjay, Wednesday, 15 September 2010 7:05:07 PM
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I think this thread has run its course- excellent points by the likes of James H and Sowat and many others beforehand, and quite frankly Sienna (who I'm quite positive is actually a kid) seems of the intellectual caliber that would still actually think (or try to pretend) that nationalization and legal regulation of non-competitive and public/business-dependent resources and utilities is an immediate jump into marxism (ignoring that most capitalist societies- including the USA, do it all the time- including now)- not to mention failing to disseminate the prior tangible points would suggest I would most likely be in for wasting my time arguing about 'what socialism is' because some people aren't old enough to tell the difference yet.

It was good while it lasted!
Posted by King Hazza, Thursday, 16 September 2010 9:36:35 AM
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Sienna, I wonder if the idea of privatizing water in a world that is rapidly using more than is available is not an ill conceived idea?
If water supply belongs to Corporations whose sole reason for being is to make profits, it is obvious that they cannot as dictated by the present corporation law ask that water is not wasted and the use is restricted to essentials. The more they sell the bigger the profits.
To sell the water overseas, which is what will happen if the rights are bought by foreign concerns is a crime against the population of Australia.
We are going to desperately need the water for food security here in Australia not produce food with it to be shipped over seas.
Added to your list of commodities that should be under Government control I would add gas. Oil will not matter because our own oil will be exhausted within five years anyway.
Governments should not have profit as their only target and there fore are able to prioritize available water, something no corporation is committed to.
I would add that Socialism now seems to be a dirty word and is denigrated by most but is going to eventually be the only way that any country has any chance of surviving. The “market rules” all philosophy is not a viable proposition for a stable civilization
Posted by sarnian, Thursday, 16 September 2010 4:43:06 PM
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I have emailed the government entity "Caring for our Country" asking for some assurance that Australia would not be disadvantaged by decisions concerning use of our land and water made by new owners. In essence, would they care for our country? Perhaps not. There is no mention that I could see of foreign ownership on that website.
Posted by d'Helm, Thursday, 16 September 2010 9:48:33 PM
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This latest Kafkaesque harangue from Tranter, is truly indicative someone is either telling porkies / furphies, or pursuing some hidden agenda, unbeknownst to gullible me ?
Isn't it a felony to want to sell the Opera House ? How, can anyone sell our most precious commodity ie. water, overseas or anywhere else, pray ? Another Ponzi scheme in the making, perhaps ?

It is common knowledge, the State's are responsible for the storage, distribution and pricing of that most essential element on this Planet, and without which the Human Race, and all it's creatures, flora and fauna heavily depend on for survival - will cease to exist. As part of our Constitution, the States are guardian and custodian of this finite resource - for better or for worst.

Why is KT and Bruce Haige calling for more Govt regulatory Authorities, when there already exist a multitude of Federal and State bloated Bureaucratic Authorities ie. Aust National Water Commission, with Laurie Arthur as it's Commissioner. ?

Our newly sworn-in Gillard Cabinet boasts of at least four Ministries that overlap each other, but essentially manages the Water Industry.
1. Sustainability, Environment Water Population etc. 2. Agriculture, Fisheries Forestry. 3. Energy Resources. 4.Climate change, Energy Efficiency.

In addition, all States have National Resources Management Ministers, and Departments, answerable to their Premiers.

The Queensland State Govt have spent several billions in it's showcase Water Grid infrastructure, which includes adjoining all the major Dams, and 650 klm of pipeline, from one end of the State to the border. It's not only a touch of brilliance, it will serve it's citizens well, for another decade. In conjunction with the $ 5 B Desalination Plant, and the raising of the Heinze Dam wall 12m, thus extending the catchment area fourfold. The dreaded Drought, since Colonization has been effectively mitigated. Bingo.

cont..
Posted by jacinta, Sunday, 19 September 2010 4:23:44 PM
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The flagitious Brumby Govt Desalination Plant in Wonthaggi, commissioned this year, at the cost of $ 15 B will on average cost $ 570 M per year to repay the debt / borrowings, which would, with interest, take 28 years to redeem. Melbourne Water claims that the average household would owe $ 9560.00, and ratepayers will be slugged $ 370.00 a year, on top of quarterly usage rates, which incidentally now incorporates 5 layers of semiprivate consortium's and Boards, which dispense Fluoride, waste water/ recycling, Aquasure Management billing, Local Govt Councils, and the Water Board. Each takes a slice of the proverbial Gelata fruity sponge ?

Much is made of the assertion that people have " human rights " and social justice, to one thing or another. Our Constitution, doesn't even include a visceral Bill of Rights, nor can citizens hope to claim the fifth Amendment with impunity, like they do in the USA. Is the requirement to provide water or food, a basic Human right ? Put. in perspective, does the State become one's benefactor ?

The hypothesis is not only flawed. It is open to ridicule.
Posted by jacinta, Sunday, 19 September 2010 4:40:10 PM
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