The federal government will push ahead with unpopular water buybacks from farmers despite Victoria opposing the move in a bid to complete the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
A scathing Productivity Commission review has backed Tanya Plibersek’s push to take control of the environmental plan,but farmers are putting up a fight.
The recovery plan is on track to miss its 2024 deadline,with the federal water minister to face opposition from states as she tries to complete the reforms as promised.
Three major environmental reforms were pledged by Labor,they are now being urged to get to work on them immediately to halt Australia’s extinction crisis.
Anthony Albanese has kickstarted a fight over water policy as Labor eyes marginal seats in South Australia.
First Nations groups have been blindsided by revelations of further disruption to a long-delayed program to return water rights in the Murray Darling Basin.
The Liberal Party has delivered its first slapdown to its junior Coalition partner since Barnaby Joyce deposed Michael McCormack as Nationals leader.
First Nations groups say it will be a betrayal if federal government follows through with a mooted plan and ditches its $40 million commitment to water rights.
Indigenous groups are accusing the government of breaching their faith on a $40 million commitment to recover water rights from voluntary irrigation sellers.
The Morrison government has been accused of caving to pressure from farm groups after cancelling its $1.5 billion Water Efficiency Program for on-farm water savings.
Australia risks a shortage of rice and other staples during the coronavirus pandemic unless Southern Murray urgently receive water allocations.