On Friday 7 November, the Murray Darling Basin Commission predicted that we are in for a long hot summer with below average rainfall, dealing yet another blow to the people of the Lower Lakes and Coorong.

I have called on Prime Minister Rudd to immediately release at least 30 gigalitres of water to save the Lower Lakes and Coorong as recommended in the recent Senate report, failure to do so will have a devastating affect on the communities in the area.

The time for talking, reviews and inquiries are over, urgent action needs to be taken now.

The Bureau of Meteorology says there is no immediate prospect of recovery for the region following poor spring rains.

Today’s reports highlight the urgent need for water infrastructure projects to be fast tracked, covering channels, piping water and lining dams are all practical ways to save water.

I call on Senator Penny Wong to immediately release infrastructure funds to help our farmers.

In just two weeks time the Rudd Government will have been in power 12 months, elected on a promise to end the blame game and fix our river systems.

The people of the Lower Lakes and Coorong have good reason to feel let down by this continuing indifference to their plight.

A copy of the latest MDBC drought update is available at www.mdbc.gov.au