Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), Media Release, 6 March 2025

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says today’s [6 March 2025] Commonwealth Government announcement to purchase 30,614 megalitres (ML) of water from Duxton Water has sent off alarm bells in Basin communities.

VFF President Brett Hosking said the $121.3m water sale would hurt farmers and regional communities the most.

“While the wealthy shareholders of Duxton Water in inner city seats might receive a financial benefit out of today’s announcement, it destroys family farms and their ability to get on with the job of farming and growing food”.

“It’s pretty simple, you need water to grow food and without that the Commonwealth is ultimately driving family farms off the land.”

“We’ve seen the Albanese Government stand up for the voters of Adelaide, and the steel workers of Whyalla. Why is it kicking family farmers and destroying the dairy industry in northern Victoria. It’s about time they stand up for regional communities and family farms,” Mr Hosking said.

The VFF is concerned the Commonwealth is providing no detail on which irrigation districts the 30,614 ML from Duxton Water will impact and is disappointed the Victorian high reliability has been targeted as it is one of the most secure water products.

The VFF says it’s part of a worrying trend from the Commonwealth to fail to provide any breakdown of what areas they are targeting water for and the environmental outcomes they are hoping to achieve.

VFF Water Council Chair Andrew Leahy has long criticized the Commonwealth for failing to provide any transparency around its water buyback programs. 

“How can farmers plan for the future when the Commonwealth behaves no better than a corporate raider? Even worse, they are using tax payers money.”

“Tanya Plibersek’s joint media release with the South Australian Government demonstrates how desperate for votes and the Commonwealth is by buying them off with a further $94 million in projects and compensation.”

“This deal smacks of a Commonwealth Government racing ahead with a federal election looming and not caring about the social and economic impacts. It is all about buying votes at the expense of regional communities, with no intention to improve the environment.”

“Cozying up with corporates to buy more water, kills family farms and drives up the cost of living. We know that and won’t stand idle and watch it happen”, Mr Leahy said.