ALP candidate for Groom - there shouldn't be a referendum ...

Although generally paraphrasing the previous comments of Federal Opposition Water spokesman MP Albanese (see - press release), the ALP's new candidate for the Federal seat of Groom has criticized the Federal government for requiring a referendum as part of its funding approval.

From ABC News (annotated):

ALP candidate attacks Govt over water crisis

9 May 2006

Labor Party's new candidate for the federal seat of Groom has already taken a swipe at the Federal Government's handling of Toowoomba's water shortage.

Chris Meibusch has won preselection over the previous ALP candidate and union organiser Paul King.

The Toowoomba lawyer says he supports the Toowoomba City Council's proposal to recycle sewage for drinking water.

But he says the Federal Government should have already funded the project and not left it to residents to decide.

"Our major position in relation to the issue is that we think there's been a total lack of leadership by the minister for water, Malcolm Turnbull, in referring it to a referendum," he said. [Actually, MP Turnbull isn't a Minister in the Howard government - he's a Parliamentary Secretary.]

"The local council here, who represent the community, have shown leadership and we shouldn't have a referendum on this issue."

See - ALP - no need for referendum.

Seems the ALP can't make up its mind.

Only yesterday, the NSW Premier Iemma (also ALP) released the 2006 Metropolitan Water plan for Sydney which states:

"Further no such scheme could proceed without community acceptance. Local research shows community reluctance to accept the introduction of recycled water into the drinking water system at present."

What exactly is ALP party policy - to let the community decide or not ....