Farmers Warn Water Buyback Scheme Could Drive up Food Prices

‘They’ve bought water back and we’ve got a lot less water, which means it costs a lot more to run a system.’

A view of the Murray River at Wentworth along the border of New South Wales and Victoria in Australia on Feb. 21, 2007. Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Debate persists in Victoria regarding the federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek’s proposed water buybacks, with an agricultural advocate expressing concerns over potential job losses and a worsening cost-of-living crisis.

Andrew Leahy, Chair of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation (VFF) Council, continues to oppose Minister Plibersek, despite her commitment to proceed with purchasing more water from farmers.