The Hon. Nicola Centofanti, Shadow Minister for Water Resources and the River Murray (SA), Media Release, 8 July 2024

South Australia is at risk of being taken advantage of as Labor prepares to open tenders for water buybacks to meet the recovery target of 450GL for the Murray-Darling Basin.

The Albanese Labor Government has mounted its recovery goal on the destructive model of water buybacks, but there is no fixed volume to be recovered from each state, or each catchment or each water right type, which puts South Australia in the firing line.

The purchase of water rights will be made on a best value for money basis, meaning South Australian farmers are at risk of being disproportionately impacted because they have already over contributed to the 450GL target.

Water Minister Susan Close gave assurances that: “South Australia at the moment has overdelivered its amount of water for that part of the plan and therefore is not at risk of having to lose much unless there is significant shortfall”.

But the Albanese Labor Government declared it will “seek to purchase water rights from willing sellers that represent the best value for money” because “there is no fixed volume to be recovered from each state”.

News of the tender opening follows a new report that investigated the impacts of Labor’s plan for water buybacks in the southern Murray–Darling Basin – finding prices will increase, water use will decrease, and production value will see a huge $111m downturn per year.

Shadow Minister for Water Resources and the River Murray, Dr Nicola Centofanti, said the Malinauskas Labor Government must outline its safeguard system to protect South Australian farmers.

“Labor’s Susan Close and Clare Scriven have been championing for mass water buybacks – despite the devastating impact it will have on our River communities – from day dot and knew South Australia could have to give more than its fair share,” Dr Centofanti said.

“What safety precautions have been put in place by Susan Close or Clare Scriven to stop South Australian famers doing all the heavy lifting or being taken advantage of?

“Our farmers are doing it tough already – mass water buybacks will add to their anxiety exponentially and these hardworking people can’t even have faith that Susan Close or Clare Scriven will do the right thing by them.

“Labor’s water buybacks strategy will have irreversible consequences for South Australian River communities that will cause pain for generations.”