Here is the 2007 ABC source of exact quote from Flannery - "So even the rain that falls isn't actually going to fill our dams and our river systems"
Quote [PROFESSOR TIM FLANNERY: We're already seeing the initial impacts and they include a decline in the winter rainfall zone across southern Australia, which is clearly an impact of climate change, but also a decrease in run-off. Although we're getting say a 20 per cent decrease in rainfall in some areas of Australia, that's translating to a 60 per cent decrease in the run-off into the dams and rivers. That's because the soil is warmer because of global warming and the plants are under more stress and therefore using more moisture.
So even the rain that falls isn't actually going to fill our dams and our river systems, and that's a real worry for the people in the bush. If that trend continues then I think we're going to have serious problems, particularly for irrigation.]
in his second reply to Sally Sara down the page.
Interview with Professor Tim Flannery Reporter: Sally Sara First Published: 11/02/2007
https://www.abc.net.au/local/archives/landline/content/2006/s1844398.htm
