Call for Australia to declare Murray Darling emergency
Updated
Australia's main opposition party says the government must declare the state of the Murray Darling Basin a national environmental emergency.
The Murray Darling Basin is a major water way that flows through, and services, four Australian states.
It supports an agricultural hub, known as the country's "food bowl".
A leaked scientific report reveals the government was warned last month that vegetation and wetlands could be lost unless flows are returned to the lower lake system by October.
The nation's water ministers aren't due to discuss the issue until November, but the government says it is now seeking urgent department advice on the matter.
The opposition's environment spokesman. Greg Hunt. says there needs to be action.
"Whilst the Murray is desperate for a drink, the minister's are out at a long lunch, so the message is very clear, we need an emergency meeting now, not in August, September, October or November but by the fourth of July," he said.
