As conflict in the Middle East drives uncertainty and tightens pressure on fuel and fertiliser supply, Australia's peak farming bodies have today stood shoulder to shoulder on the banks of the Murray River, warning the Federal Government not to compound the strain with further water buybacks.
The National Farmers' Federation, alongside NSW Farmers and Victorian Farmers' Federation have called for a line in the sand, urging the Government to deliver smarter Basin management and rule out policies that strip more water from food production and regional communities at the worst possible time.
With multiple major water reviews underway and critical decisions looming, the organisations say this is a defining moment to reset the approach with one grounded in evidence, practical delivery, and genuine engagement with the people who live and work in the nation's food bowl.
The groups reinforced their strong opposition to water acquisition in any form, including under the 450GL target, Sustainable Diversion Limit adjustments, and through rules-based changes that effectively strip water from productive use.
The joint delegation pointed to the draft findings of the Basin Plan Review that recognises the need for smarter water management approaches and projects to improve water quality and address native fish decline, including carp eradication.
What we need to see is:
- Practical mechanisms that deliver enhanced environmental outcomes and that simply adding more water won't translate to environmental improvement.
- A national fish strategy that focuses on real outcomes that reduce fish kills and eradicate carp numbers.
- A planned approach to repairing or replacing ageing infrastructure, some of which is a century old.
- Moving on from 'tinkering' with rules and water acquisition by stealth.
- Actively supporting a viable and prosperous agricultural sector that underpins local communities, sustains jobs and safeguards food production for every Australian.
The organisations are actively engaged across four major processes shaping the future of water policy – the Basin Plan Review, the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into National Water Reform, the review of the Water Act 2007, and the review of the Inspector-General of Water Compliance.
Together, they say, these processes must speak to each other and deliver a coherent, workable path forward, not more uncertainty.
Quotes attributable to NFF President, Hamish McIntyre:
"This is about getting the Basin Plan right, giving regional communities confidence and not repeating the mistakes of the past.
"Communities are still hurting from years of successive buybacks. We've seen the damage when policy is done to regions and not with them, and we won't stand by and let that happen again.
"Farmers are already under pressure from rising input costs and global uncertainty, including the escalating fuel and fertiliser supply issues. If you take away water on top of that, you're not just hurting farmers, you're putting Australia's food and fibre supply at risk."
On calls for a Royal Commission into Basin management, Mr McIntyre acknowledged longstanding frustrations but urged careful consideration.
"With multiple substantive reviews already underway and legislative changes on the horizon, the priority right now must be on getting these reforms right. We can't afford to lose more time or risk unintended consequences."
Quotes attributable to NSW President, Xavier Martin:
"Australia remains in the midst of a fuel and fertiliser crisis, and we are calling on the government to make sure they don't cause further water shortages that creates food shortages.
"We want a Basin Plan that supports agricultural productivity, protects regional communities, ensures transparent and accountable Basin governance, and uses science‑based environmental management rather than blanket water recovery targets.
"The collapsing rivers, the science, and the evidence say we don't need more buybacks that pour taxpayer money into the ocean, we need projects that use water wisely."
Quotes attributable to VFF President, Brett Hosking:
"There's a stack of reviews on the table right now. Farmers are doing the work, engaging in good faith, but we expect to be listened to.
"We want a Basin Plan that works in the real world. That means smarter management, proper investment, and policies that back in regional communities and avoids destructive buybacks."
