Labor looks certain to double down on its proposed plan to recover 450 gigalitres of additional environmental water from the Murray-Darling following the release of the Basin Authority’s discussion paper on Thursday. The paper is a critical document that will inform the Basin Plan Review 2026.
New South Wales Nationals Senator, Ross Cadell, encouraged stakeholders across the Basin to engage in the upcoming consultation while questioning why Labor remained fixated on the unnecessary and economically impactful 450 gigalitre plan.
“The Murray-Darling Basin is home to over 2.4 million people, supports 8,400 irrigated agricultural businesses and has grown into $30 billion economy,” Cadell said.
“This discussion paper and subsequent review are crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the Basin and the communities that rely on it.
“Sadly, it appears political ideology is still being dragged into water policy.”
Senator Cadell said the discussion paper had rightfully highlighted the importance of water infrastructure and need to replace ageing assets before they failed. The Nationals continue to be a loud voice on the need for new water infrastructure.
“The long-term sustainability of the Basin relies on infrastructure that is fit for purpose and does compromise the safety of regional communities,” Cadell said.
“Current levels of infrastructure spending are well below what is needed and must be expediated to ensure communities are not left high and dry.
“A strong Basin also relies on State Government’s getting their hands wet and being willing to invest in the basin not just winge to the Commonwealth.
“There must also be meaningful consequence where Water Resource Plans are outstanding, especially given the original deadline for these plans was 2019. A lack of ongoing compliance undermines the ability to enforce Sustainable Diversion Limits.
“We have already seen Basin communities wither away due to diminishing water security and as it stands, we risk losing more businesses and families from the Basin.
“All options must be on the table as part of this Basin Plan Review, and the people of the Basin put front and centre as opposed to political ideology.”
Consultation on the Discussion Paper will run for 12 weeks from 5 February 2026 until 1 May 2026.
