Battles brewing over the Murray-Darling Basin Plan | 7.30

The future of the Murray Darling Basin is again in the spotlight as the federal government rushes to extend the 2024 deadline to return more water to the river systems and restart water buybacks, but the Water Minister's plans are facing intense opposition.
Rhiana Whitson reports.
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[@MeasureOnce]

It's shocking that no politician from Libs, Labor, Greens or Nats has the guts to do anything about this. A sad indictment on state of politics in Australia

[@Ozzierob]

David little proud has a lot to answer for. Why is he just another minister after his corrupt.

[@TravelChannelOne]

But there's only 25m Australians....what about water desalination programs....?

[@mrdeanvincent]

This river system is fundamental in supporting the population of Australia. What an absolute disgrace that we still can't get our 'representatives' to represent the interests of Australians.

[@Brendan77able]

I still think that we should build a Desal plant in NQ, near Townsville or maybe even in the gulf, then pipe the "fresh" water into the river systems in inland Queensland, which all connect to the most important basins in Australia. Not only would it supply all the existing farmers using the water, but it would also open up a MASSIVE region of agricultural land that COULD feed the country, and maybe, just maybe, get people out of the god damned cities.

[@paquitoignacio3449]

Whatever the government plan is, hope isn’t affecting the livelihood of this dairy farmers, instead they should subsidize the cost.

[@colinsharman9888]

A catastrophe caused by the Howard governments debunking water and land sales, promoting water sales to prominent corporate land holders & extensive multi hectare plantings.

[@protectusplease9833]

Maybe we should be rethinking the whole agriculture system in Australia as due to climate change regions will be hotter & drier therefore farmers be opting for more drought resistant crops. We have to get use to the harsh realities that some agriculture will have to go if our communities are to survive.

[@zigorro3478]

What do farmers think they'll do when the darlings dry and dead dude??

[@MitchDonovan]

What they always do - blame the greens