And that’s not even to reel at the horror of the fish kills and putrid mud of waterways.

It is now an environmental and national disaster, a catastrophe, and that’s not to parrot any greenie philosophy at all.

Cotton Australia has already said it’s tired of being a ‘whipping boy’ for all the problems that are being brought on by this crippling drought. No, No, No, and No again.

The experts all say it’s not just a result of the drought, although it has obviously contributed to the disaster we see now.

There’s much more to this.  

Lack of intellectual rigour and leadership? Abysmal management? Dereliction of duty? Policy ignored? Political gamesmanship? Mates for mates? Environmental vandalism?

Everyone has varying opinions. But the point is it needs to be fixed – and fixed to provide for a sustainable future for all industry, paramount agriculture and the environment for the towns that feed off it for their very own existence.

Politicians and local leaders cannot ignore the hard questions.

And those who go missing in action in addressing the subject do so at their own electoral peril, because the local electorates and our rural communities demand it and are flexing their muscles; they’ve had enough, and they’re not going to take it anymore.

The Nationals, in particular, may face their greatest test with this issue, given it’s been mostly their big backyard.

Here’s a novel thought.

Forget playing the politics card – and get in and fix the policy with a bipartisan strategy that does justice to the people who rely on the Murray Darling Basin (MDB) for their livelihoods and lives, and on intelligent and rational leadership. 

Otherwise the killing season may extend its reach far beyond the basin, and not just at the ballot box, but into all our lives and future. 

That’s a losing result no one wants or needs.