The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) has again delayed the release of the draft Basin Plan, blaming the Federal government’s “caretaker mode” situation.
After recently announcing it would release a guide to the Basin Plan in early August, the document will now be released after the election.
NSW Irrigators Council chief executive officer Andrew Gregson said the move confirms the process is political.
“We understand entirely that a politician would not want a plan that will cost thousands of jobs, dislocate thousands of people, send hundreds of businesses over the edge and send the price of food skyrocketing to be released,” he said.
“That’s exactly why the MDBA have deferred the release of this plan – they are fundamentally operating in a political environment. Their decision to defer release of the Plan on grounds that are, at best, spurious shows that they are operating in a political fashion.
“Under no circumstances can the Basin Plan now be described as independent. This is a political document that its political masters must answer for.”
At a meeting of the Authority today it was decided the release date would be considered at the end of August.
