Anna Bligh - Level 5 water restrictions - engaging in secret Deputy Premier's business ...

Excerpt from ABC News (annotated) - even Deputy Mayor Ramia says his 5 cents worth:

Bligh defends refusal to reveal water ban plans

28 February 2007

Queensland Deputy Premier Anna Bligh says she was briefed on level five water restrictions in the state's south-east because they could require legislative changes.

But Ms Bligh is refusing to reveal the details because she says the proposals are not necessarily final.

The Opposition has been highly critical of the fact that residents and businesses will only get a month's warning of what level five involves.

Liberal leader Bruce Flegg yesterday asked the Water Commission for a briefing, but says he is still waiting.

Ms Bligh is standing by the Commission.

"The material they've put to me, I don't regard as final," he said.

"I understand from them that they are continuing to have discussions with councils about the workability of some of the proposals.

"Some of the proposals may well have budget implications as well."

South-east Queensland residents and businesses had about six weeks' notice of level four restrictions.

Toowoomba has been on level five restrictions since September 2006, and Councillor Joe Ramia says locals were given at least six months' advance warning.

Councillor Ramia says the lengthy lead-in time was important.

"The more time that people have to readjust, the easier I think it'll be for the Commission and for the councils to live with and the State Government," he said.

"If you could give them three to four months, the backlash mightn't be too bad, but if you give them a month I think you could have blood on the floor." [or people dropping rocks on each other, Joe.]

See - ABC News - Bligh engages in secret Deputy Premier's business.