The Federal Government is giving the states an extra three years to meet water recovery targets in the Murray Darling Basin Plan, but in return it’s opened the door to more voluntary buybacks from farmers.
Victoria is refusing to sign up to the new plan, with Federal Labor striking deals with other states to deliver an election commitment to recover 450 gigalitres for the environment.
The Victorian Farmers Federation has slammed the Federal Government, saying the changes are an attempted to take more water from irrigators.
Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek has announced a new timeline for the 13 billion dollar plan.
Audio from Nine Radio.
Federal MP Sussan Ley has also slammed the proposed changes.
She says irrigators have been working to achieve water savings, but bringing back water buybacks will kill trust between farmers and the government.
