Victoria refuses to answer questions after snubbing federal Murray Darling Basin water plan

Daniel Andrews has refused to answer questions about the state snubbing the Murray Darling Basin plan, meaning Victoria will miss out on funding for critical water saving projects.

Premier Daniel Andrews and federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek have attempted to shut down questions about the controversial Murray Darling Basin plan in an awkward press conference.

It comes after Victoria went it alone by refusing to sign up to the federal Murray Darling Basin plan in a move that means the state will miss out on key Commonwealth funding for critical water saving projects.

Ms Plibersek on Tuesday revealed she had struck a deal with New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT to deliver an election commitment to recover 450 gigalitres for the environment.

The new agreement will push back the deadline of recovering that water target to 2027, and will allow the federal government to use controversial buybacks as a water recovery measure.

Ms Plibersek on Tuesday said it is “certainly in the interests of Victoria” to sign up to the plan.

Victoria has gone it alone in refusing to sign up to the federal Murray Darling Basin Plan.

But on Thursday at a joint press conference with Premier Daniel Andrews and state Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt, Ms Plibersek refused to answer questions about the plan.

“I’m not here today to talk about the Murray Darling Basin,” she said.

“We’re still talking. That’s a good thing. I’ve got a great relationship with Premier Andrews. I’ve been a longtime admirer of his leadership.”

Asked if Victorians were worse off for not signing up to the deal, Mr Andrews instead stepped in to answer.

“No,” he said.

“Let’s be very clear about this. Today is not a day to be talking about water policy. Today is a day to be talking about recycling.”

After batting away further questions, Mr Andrews said: “It’s the government’s prerogative to choose the things that we want to talk about today, and the things we want to talk about tomorrow.”

“I’ve got no announcements to make about those matters,” he added.

“I don’t know, maybe there might be a question or two about this (government announcement)?”

It’s unclear yet what the severity of ramifications for Victoria will be for not signing up to the program.

But it will mean the state will no longer be able to access federal funding for water saving projects required under the Basin plan.

Victorian Water Minister Harriet Shing on Tuesday said the state supported the return of water to the environment provided that it didn’t pose a negative socio-economic impact on communities.

“Victoria has a longstanding opposition to buybacks and nothing we have seen in this deal has changed that position,” she said.

“Victoria has delivered more water than any other state towards the up to 450 GL of additional water and will support the return of water to the environment and the delivery of the Murray Darling Basin Plan as long as it meets the agreed socio-economic criteria.”