The Murray Daring Basin shamozzle has finally dragged the Coalition into agreeing that a Parliamentary inquiry on the subject is a good idea.
Even though Senator Barnaby Joyce was running up and down the river frightening the hell out of the people by predicting doom and gloom just a few days ago he has now seen sense.
He has welcomed the inquiry which will be chaired by independent MP Tony Windsor, whose NSW electorate of New England is located partly in the basin.
"We want people to understand there is a social impact on the towns," Barnaby Joyce told ABC Radio.
"I welcome that there's a further look at the economic consequences of what happens to our economy and our capacity as a nation to feed ourselves."
Senator Joyce, whose home town of St George in south-west Queensland is a major irrigation centre within the basin, was scathing of the authority's guide to its draft plan, describing it as "a complete and utter fiasco".
Somewhat of an overstatement as usual.
However he vowed to work constructively with Mr Windsor, despite a history of public spats between the pair.
"This is bigger than myself or Tony or anybody else."said Barnaby.
Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean said it was important to understand the authority had released a guide only under its terms of reference that did not allow for the sufficient socio-economic consequences to be considered.
"It hasn't put out a plan, it's put out a guide only", he emphasised.
NOT SO FAR APART WHEN IT COMES TO WATER
Yeah but would they be doing this inquiry without barnaby
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