Water for the rich undermines savings culture

Proposals to allow wealthy households to buy their way out of water restrictions will undermine the effectiveness of drought responses and create a system that is unfair, inefficient and divisive, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

‘Rich could buy way out of drought restrictions’, Sun Herald, 24 March 2013, p. 4,

Dr Kaye said: “Restrictions should be designed to best manage a limited water supply in a time of drought. That means every one has to pitch in, no matter how much money they have.

“Allowing the wealthy to buy their way out sends an appalling message to the rest of the community.

“It would undermine efforts to change water-use behaviour by telling households that running garden sprinklers is ok if you have spare cash.

“The credibility of the government’s appeal to reduce water usage would be compromised.

“Low and middle income households would be entitled to wonder why they bother to replant their garden when those with the money can treat restrictions as optional.

“After decades of successfully convincing NSW residents to use water carefully, this proposal would have households return to the bad old days if they can afford it.

“The O’Farrell government is shopping around for advice that suits their ideology while helping them grab more cash.

“It looks like they have found another economist who is happy to divide society between the rich and the rest of us,” Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455