MEDIA RELEASE | Pauline Hanson urges funds for Coalstoun Lakes farmers, not Pacific Islands
Pauline Hanson urges funds for Coalstoun Lakes farmers, not Pacific Islands
20/08/2019
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson wants some of the Australian taxpayer money earmarked for the Pacific Islands to be redirected instead to needy farmers in Coalstoun Lakes, near Maryborough.
The area includes some of the most fertile farming land in Australia, yet their crops struggle due to lack of a secure water source.
“I’m angry that the Government has given $500-million to the Pacific Islands based on this climate challenge rhetoric, as if it’s going to make a difference to them, which it won’t,” Senator Hanson said.
“And, meantime, we can’t provide the essential survival commodity, water, for our townships and the farming sector.
“They’re killing our farms, and the Government is reluctant to do something about it.”
The One Nation leader’s comments follow a weekend trip with fellow senator Malcolm Roberts to the North Burnett in Queensland, to attend various events and meetings in Coalstoun Lakes, Biggenden and Maryborough.
The duo met with about 40 representatives of the Coalstoun Lakes Development Group, which continues to push a case for a water supply from Paradise Dam to irrigate their crops.
One farmer at the meeting noted how his peanut crop had dropped from 150-tonne last year to 40-tonne this year, simply due to lack of water.
Senator Hanson said the Australian Government should fund a 35-kilometre water pipe from the dam, which already provides irrigation water to farms elsewhere in the region, to the properties in Coalstoun Lakes. The estimated cost of the project could be $100-million.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has pledged $500-million to nations in the Pacific Islands, starting in 2020 and spread over five years, to support initiatives to address the alleged effects of climate change.
“Coalstoun Lakes is feeling the effects of the drought. It’s some of the most fertile land around – probably on par with the Lockyer Valley, it’s very fertile – but the problem is the lack of water,” Senator Hanson explained.
“I will be pushing for the government to put the money into the pipeline. It will boost the jobs in the area – up to 1000 jobs – and it will increase productivity on the farms.”
More information about the Coalstoun Lakes Development Group is available here: https://www.coalstounlakes.org/
I totally support Pauline and Brian and sympathise about all the acidic treatment they have to wear, yet believe there are tens of thousands of silent Aussies that respect and believe in you. Shorten shot himself in his foot, given time Morrison may follow.
The government doesn’t care about australians becase theyre complicent with the UN that is bringing in the NEW WORLD ORDER and i think theyre hoping the chinese will back us b4 the muslims control of our once beautiful country
I may be wrong but i cant c the chinese letting anyone take control of the amount of Australia they own 4 their food security