The Victorian government had tarnished irrigators’ reputations, by shelving proposed tougher penalties for non-compliance, according to the state Opposition.
Water spokeswoman, Steph Ryan said the former government had proposed tougher penalties for non-compliance.
“Water Minister Lisa Neville’s partisan and short sighted decision to shelve that work has led to the reputation of Victorian irrigators being unfairly tarnished,” Ms Ryan said.
The Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) compliance review noted Victoria lacked ‘a full suite of penalties and sanctions’ against water theft.
Ms Neville said Victoria had a robust water resource compliance and enforcement framework and modern metering. “Victoria is currently drafting a new penalty regime for compliance, which will be before parliament next year,” Ms Neville said.
