Fed: Howard rejected premiers' water proposals

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2007
Fed: Howard rejected premiers' water proposals

JOHN HOWARD has rejected counter proposals from state Labor premiers on his 10 billion
dollar water plan.

The prime minister and the premiers failed to reach agreement last Thursday on his
bid for the commonwealth to take control of the Murray Darling Basin .. and booked a February
23 meeting to resolve their differences.

But Mr HOWARD's already dismissed Victorian Premier STEVE BRACKS' call for a memorandum
of understanding between the parties .. rather than ceding state sovereignty.

He's also rejected South Australian Premier MIKE RANN'S suggestion of a sunset clause
in any agreement .. telling the Nine Network sunset clauses discourage people from making
longer term commitments.

AAP RTV pw/jmt

KEYWORD: WATER HOWARD (CANBERRA)

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