Australian inquiry aims to replenish river system
Updated
The Australian Federal Government and the Liberal National Opposition are expected to support a motion by the minor Greens party to set up an inquiry aimed at replenishing the Murray River's lower basin.
The Murray Darling Basin is Australia's largest river system.
Earlier this month a protest involving thousands of people was held at the base of the Murray in Goolwa in South Australia.
There's concerns at the high salinity levels being caused by the lack of water flowing downstream and irrigators in South Australia are on restricted water allocations from the Murray.
The Senate is expected to vote on the motion Wednesday.
The inquiry would look at how much water needs to be injected into the Murray Darling Basin to reach the lower lakes and the Coorong by Christmas.
It would be required to report back on emergency provisions by the end of September.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says Australians want a unified effort to save the iconic wetlands.
"If all parties in the Senate want to see us saving the Coorong and the lower lakes, they'll support this motion," she said.
The Federal Government says it welcomes changes to the Greens' original terms of reference, and won't stand in the way of an inquiry if Senators want one.
The Opposition says it'll also support the motion.
