Member for Murray Helen Dalton has issued the challenge, but Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has refused.
Southern Riverina Irrigators (SRI) chair Peter McDonald said since implementation of the Basin Plan, rural communities dependent on irrigation had faced uncertainty, reduced allocation reliability, financial stress and ever-increasing costs.
“The treachery, lies and shonky deals must be bought to light so they can be stopped once and for all and we can see a return to sensible and beneficial water management for our rural communities,” Mr McDonald said.
He said the Basin Plan was at the core of water reform and since its inception in 2012, water has been stripped away from productivity and stable food production, leaving behind a legacy of distressed farmers, struggling rural communities, reduced job opportunities and closed shop fronts.
“In 2026 we have a review of the Basin Plan due, and it would be perfect timing to line up a Royal Commission.
“For the first time ever, the MDBA have publicly acknowledged some of the environmental outcomes under the Basin Plan are unachievable, particularly around the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth, so why are we still pushing ahead with buybacks and other necessary reforms that ultimately rip the heart out of our rural communities, reduce productivity and negatively impact the future of our country?
“Anyone with a water access licence can invest in water ‒ even if you live overseas and operate a super fund.”
Mr McDonald said the Commonwealth Environment Water Holder now had over $13 billion of water sitting in an inflexible portfolio, that generates little financial return and questionable outcomes.
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