RISING tensions surrounding water trading in the MIA has caused a feud between Murray MP Helen Dalton and Griffith mayor John Dal Broi.
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Mrs Dalton's water register bill was the focus of hearings during a state parliamentary inquiry earlier this month.
The hearings heard that the bill would force politicians to declare their water interests and create an online water register, which some labelled an invasion of privacy and a waste of time.
Mayor John Dal Broi spoke at the parliamentary inquiry, and furthered his comments today by saying he isn't opposed to the water register bill, but thinks it could benefit from some revision.
"I'm more than happy to declare my water holdings if declared under the Act and if required as a member of Griffith City Council," Mr Dal Broi said.
"That's not a problem, but the holdings that are held by my family don't enter into the discussion at all.
"They are entitled to own water within their own right, without having to publicise it."
Griffith City Council currently owns water and has the ability to trade on the open market.
This is done using brokers, who scan the market and complete transactions based on a price that council is willing to accept.
"Council deals with several brokers, all of them local," Mr Dal Broi explained.
"When I'm informed, the councillors are also informed, we know how much they've traded and how much for, and that's all we know.
"I've never known the name of any person who has purchased water through a broker that belonged to council."
The current upgrades being completed on Yambil Street have been entirely funded through water sales, nearing a total of $5 million.
This along with many other projects highlight the beneficial nature of water trading for the local community according to Dal Broi.
Mayor Dal Broi also wanted to clear the air surrounding comments made about his personal dealings with council water trading.
"The innuendo that I or any other councillor that trades water, buys or sell water, have inside dealings with council is totally incorrect and I totally reject it," Mr Dal Broi said.
"We are very sensitive when dealing with public money, I've always been extremely careful not to involve my personal business with anything I do with council.
"It's always at arms-length and I declare interests when I need to, it's not a big issue."
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