Shadow Minister for Water and Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack says Riverina workers are paying the price for the Albanese Labor Government’s failed water policies.
SunRice has announced revised shift structures at its Deniliquin and Leeton milling sites, with employees now facing potential redundancies.
With SunRice forecasting a drop in Australia’s rice production due to dry conditions and water policy settings, Mr McCormack said the warning signs could not be ignored.
“Labor’s water policies are no longer just hurting farmers, they’re costing regional Australians their jobs,” Mr McCormack said.
“Behind every lost shift is a worker, a family and a community paying the price for bad government policy.
“Bad water decision-making by Labor – buybacks – hollows out irrigation communities and that’s what is happening. The small business sector suffers, schools lose students and towns wither. It is madness based on poor policy and lazy politics.
“The Nationals have consistently warned taking productive water away from farming communities would have serious consequences. Sadly, those consequences are now being felt by workers in Leeton and Deniliquin.”
Mr McCormack acknowledged SunRice’s efforts to retain as many employees as possible and explore redeployment opportunities before any final decisions on potential redundancies.
“I commend SunRice for doing everything it can to support its workforce, but regional communities should never be put in this position,” Mr McCormack said.
“We can have healthy rivers and strong regional economies, but Labor must stop undermining the industries and communities which depend on reliable water.
“I’ll continue fighting for sensible water policy that protects jobs, supports our irrigators and keeps the Riverina strong.”
