Hansard debates

Ms SHEED (Shepparton) (11:49:17): (968) My question is for the Minister for Water. What measures is the Victorian government taking to examine the validity of Professor Peter Gell’s claims that the South Australian lower lakes were not fresh water but estuarine prior to human intervention in the 20th century? Professor Gell’s peer-reviewed scientific evidence was published in the CSIRO’s Journal of Pacific Conservation Biology, and was discussed by numerous media outlets last month. Should Professor Gell’s work be accurate, many assumptions underpinning the Murray-Darling Basin plan and the delivery of fresh water from the Murray to South Australia need to be re-examined. Last week the fresh water flow to the sea from the lower lakes saw 38 barrages open. It is concerning that this precious water commodity is potentially being wasted if Professor Gell’s research is correct.