My Name is Brendan Kennedy. I’m a Tati Tati delegate of the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, or MLDRIN. MLDRIN is a confederation of Indigenous groups from across the lower Murray Darling Basin. We work together as a collective voice, arguing for the rights and interests Traditional Owners and our river Country.

I was born in Robinvale on the banks of the mighty Murray River. What I’ve witnessed first hand over the years reflects what science shows – our rivers are struggling after decades of diversion, pollution and exploitation. 

To Aboriginal people, water is more than just a commodity, it is a precious source of life that nourishes Country, culture and community. Aboriginal people have over 40,000 years of knowledge about freshwater ecosystems in this country. Our input is crucial to inform the decisions made about Australia’s most significant river system.

I am asking Malcolm Turnbull to make sure his Government delivers the water that will sustain our river’s health and the health of all Aboriginal communities across the Basin. That means making sure the Basin Plan legally dedicates at least 3,200 GL of water to our rivers so they can flow with more natural cycles of flooding and drying.

Malcolm Turnbull must listen to Traditional Owners and deliver the water that our rivers and communities need to be healthy. Sign the petition and support Traditional Owners in the Murray Darling Basin.