By Dominique Tassell
Member for Southern Downs James Lister has delivered a passionate speech in parliament tonight, condemning the decision to defer Emu Swamp Dam’s funding.
He spoke during a motion “condemning the Palaszczuk Government for failing to deliver essential infrastructure”.
Mr Lister opened his speech by chanting “Emu Swamp Dam”.
“We need that project,” he said.
“What happened to that funding? It’s gone.”
Mr Lister said the cuts to dam funding are a cut to future prosperity in our region and a blow to local jobs.
He then spoke about the food grown in our region and the necessity of the dam not only for our region’s economic security but larger food security.
Our region has been waiting for this project for years, he said, and reminded the room of the Granite Belt’s struggles during the drought.
There were plenty of other things that could have been cut in the federal budget, he said.
Mr Lister stated he believed the Labor Party is now beholden to the Greens and unable to deliver on necessary projects for fear of ruining their relationship.
“My community needs Emu Swamp Dam.”
He said the state government should be communicating with the federal government, telling them how much we need the dam.
Mr Lister then spoke about the state government’s other water projects, including the Toowoomba to Warwick pipeline.
He said the state government is “desperate to impose the pipeline on the Southern Downs” and pumping water from somewhere else is not the same as having new water.
“The cutting of that dam is symbolic of the rot that has set in in the Labor Party.”
