Since the implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, water management has gone backwards. Opaque federal water buy-backs and changing ownership patterns have distorted the market, making water increasingly unaffordable for farmers. The consequences are being felt across farms, regional communities and the businesses that depend on agriculture.

 

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party has fought for transparency and accountability in the management of Victoria’s most precious resource. We forced the Victorian Parliament to require greater transparency around water ownership by Members of Parliament and senior public servants. Those making decisions about water should be subject to the same scrutiny as everyone else.

 

Victoria continues to do much of the heavy lifting while farmers, regional communities, lakes, wetlands and dams bear the consequences. It is time to restore equity, affordability and transparency to Victoria’s water system. The SFF will continue fighting for farmers, regional communities and a fairer approach to managing Victoria’s water.

 

• Enforce full transparency in water ownership, focusing on the decision makers

• Build more dams and water storages.

• Audit government held water

• Oppose federal government buybacks

• Prioritise domestic and agricultural water in times of drought

• Review catchment authorities wetland management cycles