July 28th 2010
Greens call for national rural land and water register
Speaking in Orange, NSW today Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown called
for a national register of foreign purchases of land or water in rural
Australia.
“In the coming century food and fibre production will be a huge issue as
the world population soars to 10 billion people or more,” said Senator
Brown.
“It is important Australians know who owns the productive farmlands and
water rights of our country.
“Currently there is no register except in Queensland nor any vetting of
foreign ownership by the Foreign Investment Review Board except for
purchases in excess of $231 million.
“New Zealand has had a register since 1988 and Australia should catch
up.
“Ownership can lead to control of markets for food and therefore food
prices so it’s important we know who owns what,” Senator Brown said.
Yesterday Deputy Leader Christine Milne also called for the ACCC to
assess the impacts of food processor mergers and takeovers and called
for an inquiry into National Competition Policy.
Media contact Peter Stahel 0459 133 597
www.greensmps.org.au
Erin Farley
Media Adviser
Senator Bob Brown | Leader of the Australian Greens
Suite SG-112 Parliament House, Canberra ACT
P: 02 6277 3577 | M: 0438 376 082| F: 02 6277 3185
http://bob-brown.greensmps.org.au/| www.GreensMPs.org.au
<http://www.greensmps.org.au/>