Lower lakes 'disaster' a priority: Rudd
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Kevin Rudd back in SA: water high concern (ABC News)
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is expected to face community anger in Adelaide today about the critical situation facing the River Murray's lower lakes.
Mr Rudd and the Federal Cabinet meet in the city and later travel to Hallett Cove in Adelaide's south to take questions from community members.
Federal Water Minister Penny Wong has been criticised recently for saying there is not enough water in the system to help the critical situation in the lower reaches.
Mr Rudd says the Government has done what it can.
"These problems have been emerging for the last six to 12 years; we have a record of inaction by our predecessors," he said.
"What we've done is taken every possible measure available to us in the last six months to try and turn this disaster around and it is a real problem.
"I believe the lower lakes are an absolute environmental priority for the nation, in which case governments of all persuasions need to do whatever is physically possible to make sure that this asset is preserved as best as is possible."
Mr Rudd has defended the Government's moves to save the Murray Darling system by buying back water entitlements.
"We've begun that process - we've dedicated $3.1 billion to the purchase back of further water entitlements across the system - that's what we're engaged in," he said.
Mr Rudd says Federal Cabinet will be briefed today by the Murray Darling Basin Commission on its overall condition and the state of the lower lakes.
"Cabinet will then look at what further measures will be possible to reduce the pressure on the system," he said.
Mr Rudd has also rebuffed calls by South Australian Independent Senator Nick Xenophon to conduct an independent audit of the system.
"We're required to act on the advice given to us by those who go out there and do the professional measurements," he said.
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