OAKESHOTT INDEPENDENT
OAKESHOTT ASKS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RULING BY PARLIAMENT ON WATER
In light of the recent State Election, where the National Party was attempting to change the direction of the Barnard River from an east-west river to a north-south river denying the Manning River valuable water supply, as well as the federal Coalition proposal to drain the Clarence River to service south-east Queensland urban sprawl, Independent MP for Port Macquarie Rob Oakeshott has today asked the State Attorney-General for a constitutional ruling on the use of natural resources like water for marginal seat political campaigning.
"It states in the Australian Constitution, under section 100, that the Commonwealth shall not, by law, abridge the rights of the States and its residents on the reasonable use of waters of rivers. The plan by the Commonwealth to re-direct the Clarence River into the urban sprawl of south-east Queensland could be interpreted as doing just that, said Mr Oakeshott.
"I have therefore asked the Attorney-General for a legal ruling on this aspect of the Constitution, as it may scuttle any Coalition plans to re-direct north coast rivers. If so, hats off to the forefathers for having the foresight to see this attempted marginal seat politics being played, and it is just disappointing that natural resources are being used in such a politically cynical way, said Mr Oakeshott.
11 May 2007