Senate Passes Murray-Darling Basin Legislation, Farmers Say It’s a ‘Kick in the Guts’

Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek confirmed that voluntary water buybacks will begin from 2024.

Minister for Environment Tanya Plibersek and government members and senators at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Nov. 30, 2023. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

The Senate has passed legislation that will see the controversial Murray-Darling Basin Plan moved forward to 2027, when Federal Labor expects the legislated 450 gigalitres of water to be allocated back to the environment.

Among a swathe of amendments to the current legislation, the “Restoring Our Rivers Bill”—a joint Labor and Greens initiative—will give the government more powers, including water buybacks, to recover water back to the basin.