K Rudd backs desal for SEQ ...

Excerpt from ABC News:

Rudd commits to Qld water infrastructure

3 March 2008

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the Federal Government's role in securing long-term water supply to south-east Queensland is to support major infrastructure projects.

The Commonwealth has cancelled a $9.6 million trial of "rain enhancement technology" in the south-east, which was to be run by the Australian Rain Corporation, the University of Queensland, and the CSIRO.

Some of the funding, approved by former environment minister Malcolm Turnbull, has already been spent.

Mr Rudd says the Government will instead help the Queensland Government and local water authorities invest in infrastructure.

"We believe that core planning for the future must go to the elements of critical water infrastructure, making proper provisioning for the future for things like desalination plants where local state and other water authorities deem those to be appropriate, as they have in various states around Australia," he said.

See - KRudd backs desal for SEQ water grid.