Senator WATT (Queensland—Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Minister for Emergency Management) (14:13): Thank you for getting to the question, Senator Davey. In broad terms, for the reason this government, the Albanese government, is taking serious action about the Murray-Darling Basin, if you want to know why we're doing that, I'd suggest to the National Party: have a look in the mirror. Have a look in the mirror at the decade of inaction that the Liberal and National parties took over 10 years in implementing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order. Senator WATT: I know you've got a lot to say in opposition, but you didn't have a lot to say in government, did you? You never had much to say about the fact that the Murray-Darling Basin— Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Watt, please resume your seat. Senator Davey? Senator Davey: I rise on a point of order on direct relevance. I wasn't asking about what we did in government; I was asking about why they're not releasing details on social and economic impacts. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Davey. I will draw— Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order on my right! Order. I will draw the minister to the last part of your question, but I also remind senators that there was significant preamble in that question, which the minister is entitled to address, as is the minister also entitled to address interjections. Minister Watt? Senator WATT: Thank you, President. As I said, if the Nationals want to understand why this government has to do something to rescue the Murray-Darling Basin then they only need to look back at their track record over the 10 years that they were in power. The Murray-Darling Basin Plan that the former government was allegedly committed to required the recovery of 450 gigalitres of water for the environment. Guess how much was recovered in 10 years of coalition government? Senator McAllister: Was it one? Senator WATT: No, Senator McAllister; to be fair, it was more than one— Senator McAllister: It was more than one? Senator WATT: It was one more than one! It was two gigalitres out of the 450 gigalitres that were required under the plan which was delivered in 10 years of the National-Party-led coalition government. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister Watt, please resume your seat. Order on my left! And, Minister Watt, I will direct you to the last part of the question. Senator WATT: We're serious about delivering the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and we're serious about doing it in a way that minimises the socioeconomic impact on basin communities. Now, the Nationals like to portray themselves as the friends of agriculture while allowing the death of the most important food bowl in Australia. Senator Farrell: What about barley? Senator WATT: You're right, Senator Farrell: what did they do about barley? What did they do about lobster and what did they do about all sorts of trade that went under with China— The PRESIDENT: Minister, please resume your seat. Senator Davey. Senator Davey: President, I have a point of order again, on direct relevance. He's now going to lobster and barley trade with China. I'm asking about the social and economic impacts in the basin. The PRESIDENT: Thank you, Senator Davey. You will note— Senator McKenzie: How many jobs have you lost? The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator McKenzie, you've had way too much to say in question time. I invite you to put your name on the list tonight if you have so much to say. Senator Davey, I have drawn the minister to your question, and I will remind him once again. Minister. Senator WATT: As I was saying, we have made clear that we will minimise the socioeconomic impact of implementing the plan. But what we will not do is allow the Murray-Darling Basin to collapse and undermine agriculture in this country. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Davey, a first supplementary question.