Professor Ian Lowe presents the truth and lies about Australia water politics

The 'Big Water Debate' was held in Adelaide on the 11th February, 2009 - jointly presented by the Water Action Coalition and The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre. Professor Ian Lowe, President of the Australian Conservation Foundation, commenced proceedings with his keynote address: "The truth and lies about water politics".

According to the abstract accompanying Professor Lowe's presentation:

Water is essential for life. Discussion of water needs to take account of some fundamental truths: South Australia is the driest State of the driest inhabited continent. We also have more variable rainfall than other continents. Both rainfall patterns and subsequent run-off are being altered significantly by climate change. The lower Murray is now in a crisis state as a result of over-extraction of water upstream. People understand these truths and expect serious discussion of water issues in the run-up to the State election.

The water is muddied by some frequently-repeated lies: the Murray is in crisis because of Adelaide's water use, irrigation water is used efficiently to maximise economic benefits, we are doing all that is reasonable to manage demand and to harvest storm-water, we need de-salination and its impacts are minor, privatisation of water is beneficial, all the problems would be solved if the issue was taken over by the Commonwealth government, climate change is not a serious threat. There are also some half-truths: other States are to blame, there is now an effective plan to manage the Murray-Darling system.

You can download the full podcast of Professor Lowe's presentation here (or alternatively, if you'd like to save this podcast, right click and select the 'Save As' option).

Professor Ian Lowe AO is emeritus professor of science, technology and society at Griffith University in Brisbane, as well as being an adjunct professor at Sunshine Coast University and Flinders University. In 2002 he was awarded a Centenary Medal for contributions to environmental science and won the Eureka Prize for promotion of science. His contributions have also been recognised by the Prime Minister's Environment Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement, the Queensland Premier's Millennium Award for Excellence in Science and the University of NSW Alumni Award for achievement in science. Professor Lowe is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and was named Humanist of the Year in 1988. In 2004, Professor Lowe was elected ACF President.

About the Water Action Coalition

The Water Action Coalition (WAC), co-host of The Big Water Debate, is a broadly based movement of community groups and environmental organisations seeking an informed and constructive debate on our water future. WAC seeks policies to secure a sustainable supply of water, without compromising the health of interdependent ecosystems, with the goal that these be implemented by the incoming SA Government and sustained by future governments for the benefit of all. More information about WAC and their position on the water futures of South Australia is available on their website.