Speak Up, representing communities in northern Victoria and southern NSW, says we need to get back to basics with local consultation and balanced decisions that protect our nation’s future food security.
The National Irrigators’ Council says it’s an opportunity for new leadership to put policy above politics and partnerships over partisanship.
Both groups welcomed Murray Watt’s appointment as Federal Environment and Water Minister.
Speak Up deputy Chair David Farley hopes Senator Watt’s previous positions as agriculture minister and employment minister have provided him with important background on the economic benefits of supporting Australia’s irrigated agriculture.
“Our region is a crucial food bowl that provides a significant economic contribution to the nation, but more importantly is a key factor in food security, which is fast becoming an issue that needs to be addressed,” Mr Farley said.
“We look forward to Senator Watt using his experience to drive policy that protects jobs in regional communities, and at the same time allows our farmers to grow food, in particular for domestic consumption.”
Mr Farley said water policy needs to have a focus on outcomes, not volumes.
Speak Up strongly opposes water buybacks, which Mr Farley said were the water recovery priority of the previous minister, Tanya Plibersek, describing them as “the lazy option that poses a significant threat to Australia’s food security”.
He said Speak Up was advocating for food security to be included in the 2026 Murray-Darling Basin Plan review.
“With the right policy settings and common-sense decision making we can effectively use our water supplies to protect the environment and also put food on Aussie tables.
“Our regional communities look forward to building a relationship with Minister Watt, so we can work together and implement solutions that protect jobs, livelihoods, our environment and national food security.”
National Irrigators’ Council chief executive officer Zara Lowien said until recently, water management in Australia has had a long history of bipartisanship across politics.
“We hope ... we can see a return to respectful and constructive water policy solutions, that can once again rise above politics,” she said
“We seek the leadership of the new minister to bring people together for common goals with sensible solutions in reforms like the basin plan that have been contentious and polarised.
“We are well positioned to meet the future demands for clean, green and reasonably priced food and fibre, but the industry needs secure and sustainable water to drive-up national productivity to fulfil our responsibilities.
“Minister Watt’s experience means he is well positioned to balance in the needs for agriculture, communities and the environment in the nation’s interest to safeguard our water future.”
Ms Lowien said Senator Watt takes on the portfolio as major reforms like the basin plan are largely complete — with one in three litres of irrigation water now available to the environment and full compliance with the new Sustainable Diversion Limits (SDLs).
“A large part the minister’s new portfolio will be to review the basin plan, just as farmers, environmental scientists, communities and others all agree that it’s time to make investments in measures to directly address environmental issues — like invasive species (carp), barriers to fish movement, fish entrainment, and riparian habitat degradation,” she said.
“Now, is the time for these practical solutions which move away from just adding water to the environment but take the next step, to maximise environmental outcomes to improve the health of our rivers to be actioned.”
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