Commonwealth urged to control Murray
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An Adelaide University law professor says the Commonwealth should take control of the Murray to ensure its survival. (iStockphoto)
An Adelaide University law professor says the Federal Government may be forced to the High Court to take control of the Murray-Darling Basin system from the states.
Professor John Williams says although a central authority is needed to take over the system, he fears the states will not willingly relinquish their control.
He says the Commonwealth needs to take away all aspects of control from the states, to give the river its best chance of survival.
"I think the Commonwealth is trying, what it should be trying to have a cooperative approach to this, however I think they should also be ready and willing to test their constitutional arms and attempt to take control given the national emergency that we have," he said.
"Most likely I believe is the Commonwealth will have to at some point intervene and wrest control of the river to itself."
