After Conservative Party calls during the federal election campaign for the federal government to consider a major water infrastructure project to secure Australia’s water supply, the government has opened the door a crack to the idea.
The Australian reports, this week Senator Pauline Hanson demanded that in exchange for One Nation supporting tax reform, the government should revive the gigantic 1930s Bradfield water infrastructure plan.
Senator Hanson also demanded a new coal-fired power station and a royal commission into family law to support the entire proposal.
The Conservative Party deliberately eschews horse-trading over issues of principle and leader Senator Cory Bernardi says he will support the Coalition’s complete tax reform agenda without condition.
“I want to see the Bradfield Scheme to ensure water security in Australia,” Senator Hanson said, referring to the ambitious project proposed by Queensland-born civil engineer John Bradfield to turn northern Queensland rivers south to drought-proof south west Queensland and parts of South Australia through a massive network of pipes, tunnels, and dams.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, who holds the water infrastructure portfolio, told The Australian the government would “lead a robust and science-based assessment of Australia’s water resources to identify real opportunities where new water infrastructure can be built.”
“This is the vision John Bradfield had in the 1930s,” he said.
“We have enough water, we just need to harvest and harness it better.”
Water Resources Minister David Littleproud said “we need to look at what parts of the Bradfield scheme could work in current conditions”.
