Ms Maywald said, “Last night, South Australian Liberal Senators supported amendments to the Water Amendment Bill that will reduce the amount of domestic and industrial water that could be taken from the River Murray by towns and cities outside of the Murray-Darling Basin.

“This means water for critical industry needs, throughout South Australia, would be cut, putting thousands of jobs at risk, as well as the economy of our State.

“On their hit list would be big regional employers such as OneSteel in Whyalla, Nyrstar in Port Pirie, abattoirs, wineries and a myriad of small businesses that support regional South Australia.

“Not only do the amendments put industry water supplies at risk, but they jeopardize the referral of powers to the Commonwealth for the management of the Murray-Darling Basin in the longer term.

“It beggars belief that any South Australian Member of the Federal Parliament would betray the interests of South Australians as the Federal Opposition has done last night.

“They need to put aside their short-term political folly and begin to act in the best interests of South Australia at this crucial point in our history where we, for the first time, have an opportunity to achieve a truly national and independent approach to how our River Murray is managed.”