The Rural Times

  • Written by NFF


Farmers have responded with dismay at the Government’s decision to reach prematurely for water buybacks, before alternative options have been considered.

National Farmers’ Federation President, Fiona Simson, said today’s announcement to deliver the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in full with buybacks squarely on the agenda would be met with disbelief given the Government’s recent consultation.

“Just a few short weeks ago the Government sought and received over 100 submissions from stakeholders, outlining innovative and smart solutions to deliver the plan without the need for buybacks,” Ms Simson said.

“The NFF’s was just one of these groups that engaged in good faith - putting up over 1,000GL of buyback-free water recovery projects.

“The Minister has just admitted these are yet to be fully considered. To fire the starting gun on harmful buybacks while sitting on an unread stack of alternatives beggars belief.”

The Commonwealth has failed to bring Victoria into the new Basin agreement – ending more than 16 years of fragile cooperation around the Plan.

“Maintaining a degree of unity between the states and the Commonwealth has been a major achievement of the Plan to date. Today unity has been pushed to the wayside with what looks like a rushed and clumsy attempt to override states’ genuine concerns about buybacks.

“States have a right to stand up for their communities and say no to buybacks. Accepting buybacks shouldn’t be a precondition for amending the deadlines – that’s just politically conniving.

“Buybacks have hurt Basin communities in the past and they’ll inflict more pain if they start again.

“This isn’t just an issue for farmers. It’s a bill every Australian gets to pay not once, but twice – first as their taxes bankroll costly buybacks, then again when their grocery bill goes up.

“You cut production in our food bowl and everyone who eats foots the bill.”

Ms Simson called on the Opposition and members of the crossbench to hold the Government to account on this issue when legislation comes before Parliament.

“Right now, there are too many unanswered questions to wave any legislation though.

“Why has the Government ignored the alternative options it asked for? How much will this unnecessary spending spree cost the taxpayer? And what will be the impact on Basin communities, and do the socio-economic tests still stand?

"We also don't want to see an end to bipartisanship. The Government should engage meaningfully with the Coalition to give communities confidence going forward.

“Farmers and communities deserve the chance to engage meaningfully before these laws that will affect them are passed. We look forward to engaging constructively and decisively to ensure their views are heard.”

The independent review into Australia’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements

RELEASE OF COLVIN REVIEW IS JUST THE BEGINNING The long awaited release of the final report of the Colvin Review1 is just the beginning of a proces...

Why More Farmers Are Turning to Cone Bottom Tanks to Boost Productivity

In recent years, Australian farmers have been increasingly adopting innovative solutions to optimise fertiliser use and improve their overall produc...

Strong global interest for macadamia farms located in one of Australia’s largest producing regions

Two established macadamia orchards situated on 1,512ha in  the world-renowned Bundaberg growing region have hit the market and are attracting strong...

Is India the next frontier for Australian agriculture?

Fundamental demand shifts in the big populations of China and India – one third of the planet’s people – are challenging global food and fibre produ...

Labor’s disingenuous funding brings more pain for live sheep farmers

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud is reiterating a future Coalition Government will reinstate the live sheep export trade, following Labor’s...

Rural Bank Australian Farmland Values

Mid-Year Update 2024: Farmland values stabilise as number of property transactions tightens Australian farmland values have continued to grow through...

Demand for high powered tractors revs up 2024 baling season

New Holland dealer Double R is seeing increased demand from farmers and contractors for high horsepower tractors to operate machinery and cover mo...

‘Super tax’ to jeopardise family farms

Following the passage of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions and Other Measures) Bill 2023 through the House of ...

The Benefits of Buying a House and Land Package

Navigating the property market can be a daunting task, especially for first-time buyers or those looking for a seamless transition into their new ho...