cgal, the solution is obvious: breed a long furred kangaroo that tastes good, and replace cows, sheep, and cotton with a local critter. can't think why someone didn't think of it sooner...

Ah but that would be genetic modification DEMOS, and we all know how the general public is opposed to that!

I dont disagree that there needs to be a radical review of production in Australia (and indeed in all parts of the world). What we grow and how we do it needs to be under constant review and development. Fact of the matter is that as we start to run short on oil over the next 50 years or so, natural fibres like wool and cotton will again become of utmost important, as man-made synthetics become prohibitively expensive. Costs of production for farmers is also likely to sky-rocket and new ways to keep down costs by smarter and more targetted farming will be sought. The wool industry is probably in one of the best positions long-term, as many functions can be reverted back to pre-oil/electricity days, without a great deal of cost increase. Eg blade shearers were not much slower than mechanical shearers, mustering on horse-back took only a few hours more than mustering on motorbikes.

http://straightfurrow.farmonline.co.nz/news_daily.asp?ag_id=43336

"Monday, 25 June 2007
Irrigated cotton and wheat farms in northern NSW have been accused of stealing billions of litres of water released specifically to revive one of Australia's most ecologically important wetlands, a new report claims."

And don't act as if water management practices are all efficient and beyond reproach. They are not. It's a lot worse (in some areas) than it's made out to be. Water waste and negligence at all levels is huge and has been happening for decades.

steel, can't you find enough inaccuracy in our own news sources that you need to look overseas.

The case in question actually involves graziers. The Inland rivers network doesn't worry too much about the truth when furthering their cause.