The National Farmers' Federation has raised its eyebrows at today's announcement the Federal Government has received 1000 responses to the southern Murray-Darling Basin open tender process.
NFF Water Committee Chair Malcolm Holm said the announcement by Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek raised significant questions for farmers in Australia's food bowl.
"While the Minister highlighted the volume of interest, key details remain undisclosed and we call for clarity on several fronts," Mr Holm said.
- How much water do those responses actually represent, and are they confirmed tenders?
- What sort of prices are being requested in these tenders, and how does the Government define "value for money" in this context?
- What confidence is there that these expressions of interest will lead to successful buybacks?
- Will the Minister commit to fully analyse and report on the scope, impact, and cost of this round before launching the next, given the goal to run three tenders within 12 months?
- What impact will the water buybacks have on the community and the capacity to grow food and fibre in the current cost of living crisis.
"Despite claims to 'prioritise non-purchase options', the Government's actions tell a different story," Mr Holm added.
"Minister Plibersek and her Government say they are responding to the cost of living crisis on one hand but on the other they are trumpeting about how much water they are planning on taking out of the system that will grow food and fibre.
"Taking water out will clearly reduce the production capacity for dairy farmers, rice producers and fruit and vegetable farmers. This smacks of hypocrisy.
"What progress has been made on installing fish ladders in Menindee? What's being done to prevent ongoing fish kills during times of varying flow levels?
"Were any proposals from the NFF's 1000-gigalitre submission in July 2023 considered as alternative solutions?
"What other strategic engagements are underway to optimise the use of environmental water and ensure it reaches areas where it is most needed?
"It seems more about political grandstanding than delivering meaningful environmental outcomes. We're seeing rhetoric without the necessary actions, which is undermining a healthier Murray-Darling Basin and the resilience of regional communities."
The NFF has repeatedly requested a review of the effectiveness of current environmental water use, aiming to identify areas where additional water could be beneficially applied.
"Instead of meaningful responses, there's been silence. Meanwhile, rapid-fire buyback rounds proceed without addressing these critical concerns.
"We will continue to seek answers to these questions and urge the Government to look beyond buybacks to create meaningful environmental outcomes for our river system."
