Beattie thinks legitimate questions are scaremongering ...

On Channel 10 News this evening, Premier Beattie was thrown completely off guard with a question of how food industry exporters in SEQ would fare if recycled water is used.

His response: "I say to scaremongers - don't."

He clearly had no idea about this issue. Privately, he must be seething that his advisers had not informed him of this potential problem.

With SA and NSW clearly stating that potable reuse is not on the agenda (nor is it in Victoria), how long before these States start to poach businesses in SEQ concerned about their futures ...

Excerpt from ABC News (annotated):

Beattie defends recycled water against 'scare mongers'

28 January 2008

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has tried to head off any scare-mongering over recycled water, insisting it is safe to drink.

South-east Queensland residents could be drinking recycled supplies within two years.
The State Government promised south-east Queenslanders a say on drinking recycled water, and was prepared to spend $10 million on a vote in March.

But Mr Beattie has today cancelled the plebiscite, saying the drought is so bad that there is no other choice.

He says the new water grid for recycled water is expected to be ready in late 2008.

"It just seems pointless to proceed with a plebiscite on March 17," he said.

"So we've decided to cancel the polls, so there'll be no vote.

"I apologise to the people of South East Queensland for breaking a commitment, but that was in less serious circumstances."

Mr Beattie says he is confident drinking water supplies will last until the water recycling facilities are built.

He says Government research shows 78 per cent of residents were planning to vote "yes" in the plebiscite. [Rubbish - they will never show you this research because the true figure is the opposite. Remember Mayor Thorley and her "70% support my project" statements which turned out to be completely false.]

Liberal leader Dr Bruce Flegg says he is not surprised.

"The Government has bowed to Opposition calls to stop the farce and stop the waste of $10 million," he said.

Many local councils have supported Mr Beattie's decision, but former Toowoomba mayor Clive Berghofer says the food export industry is now in danger.

"[The] Japanese won't buy our product if it's washed in recycled water," he said.

Mr Berghofer says people will be driven away from south-east Queensland by the perception of recycled water.

"Lots of people that are not coming to the city because of the water - I know lots of people have left," he said.

"Just talk around outside Toowoomba, they think we're drinking recycled water now, the press was so bad."

"It doesn't matter where you go in Australia - you talk about Toowoomba and they say that's where you drink recycled sewage."

See - I say to scaremongers - don't [or what?]