No basin buybacks: Victoria and NSW unite against federal water purchases

The NSW and Victorian governments want federal irrigator buyouts taken off the table at this Friday’s meeting of the nation’s water ministers.

NSW Water Minister Kevin Anderson said he will “not stand by” and let the federal government raid water markets again.

Victorian and NSW water ministers are standing firm in their opposition to further federal government buyouts of Murray Darling Basin irrigation communities’ water to boost environmental flows.

Both ministers made the call in the lead-up to Fridays’ ministerial council meeting, at which Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek is set to deliver a long overdue strategy on water recovery, which includes buyouts.

“Victorians lived through the last round of buybacks, and we know they do not work,” Victorian Water Minister Harriet Shing said.

“They take water out of the consumptive pool, pushing up prices and create greater risk to the water security of local businesses. I will argue against more buybacks in favour of finishing the projects that achieve better environmental outcomes with less water and won’t harm Victorian communities.”

Victorian Minister for Water Harriet Shing. Picture: Valeriu Campan

NSW Water Minister Kevin Anderson said “we have seen first-hand the impact that Commonwealth buyback programs have had before, and will not stand by and watch this happen again.

“NSW will strongly argue that any further water recovery must be prioritised through investment in water infrastructure rather than buybacks and will be using the upcoming Ministerial Council meeting to fight for the interests of NSW communities.”

National Irrigators Council chairman Jeremy Morton said the federal government had failed to deliver on its promise to consult basin communities on further water recovery before Friday’s meeting.