Buybacks a recipe for disaster

When the Basin Plan was implemented by the Gillard Labor Government in 2012, there were promises that it would balance environmental, social and economic needs.

Later, a neutrality test was introduced to guarantee no adverse socio-economic impacts from buybacks of what was expected to be the final 450GL.

However, this promise was abandoned by the Albanese Government in 2023 when it received support from the Greens and Teals.

It has since fiercely pursued water buybacks, even after authorities have indicated they do not need more environmental water and community groups have constantly highlighted the damage they cause.

Local advocacy body the Murray Regional Strategy Group, which represents numerous community and farming organisations, has consistently highlighted the impact on cost of living from water buybacks.

With less water available to grow food, there is reduced supply which, as a natural consequence, increases the price.

It also says that Australia, which has traditionally grown enough food for domestic consumption while also exporting to other countries, is on track to be a net importer of food in about a decade.

Put simply, we will not be able to grow enough food for Australian families.

With all this evidence, MRSG executive officer Shelley Scoullar said it is beyond comprehension that federal Water Minister Murray Watt was contemplating more water buybacks.

Despite being told of the damage they cause, including recent comments that they are “hollowing out many of our smaller towns and communities”, Mr Watt says the government has an obligation to deliver on water saving targets, referring to the targets being “what science has told us”.

The science to which he refers is more than 20 years old and considered by many to be outdated.

Mrs Scoullar echoed calls from the National Irrigators Council, whose chief executive Zara Loewin says a “more constructive approach is needed” and “we need to put the politics and past policy behind and actually just look at what the environment needs going forward”.

“Perhaps it will take a food scarcity crisis for the government to wake up,” Mrs Scoullar said.

“They obviously won’t listen to rural communities and have no care factor for the people losing their jobs and their affected families.

“I suspect they won’t take any notice until food prices soar to a point where Australian voters will demand action.

“I only hope this occurs before Mr Watt and his government wipes out our nation’s irrigated agriculture industry.”