Labor has again muddied the waters by choosing to allocate just 30-minutes to the portfolio during next week’s Estimates hearings, having last year flushed the cross-portfolio water day from the program completely.

Nationals Senator for New South Wales, and former Shadow Minister for Water, Ross Cadell, said the decision proved Labor had no interest in transparency when it comes to water.

“This year will be one of the most crucial for water policy in Australia,” Cadell said.

“The health of the Murray Darling is under intense scrutiny as is the lack of compliance across parts of the basin, including water resource plans that are going on seven years overdue.

“Right now, we need transparency from Government on what’s really happening below the surface.

“The Basin needs real representation and real answers not political games that cover the truth.”

Senator Cadell again called for the cross-portfolio water day to be reinstated, providing an opportunity to take a deep dive on important topics including the culling of carp, infrastructure delivery, and the review of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

“The only way to return transparency to water policy is the return of the cross-portfolio water day,” Cadell said.

“With time allocated we can ask the questions that basin communities so desperately want answers on.

“It seems Labor has forgotten just how essential water is in this country.”