Concerns raised at potential delays in release of Keelty report

Inspector-General of Murray-Darling Basin Water Resources Mick Keelty has toured the Basin, seeking input into his report into water sharing between the states.

The report was commissioned after the Canberra irrigator's rally, in November last year.

"We are in the midst of a crisis, but that does not mean extremely important information, such as the findings of this inquiry, can be buried for six months," Ms Sheed said.

"I am concerned that Federal Parliament will not sit until October and the be outcomes of various reports and inquiries may be put on the back burner during the pandemic response.

Mr Keelty's inquiry was too important to remain on Mr Pitt's desk.

"I have written to Minister Pitt and called on him to make this advice available publicly and as a matter of urgency following his receiving it.

"As Mr Keelty currently has no statutory appointment his advice is not a document that needs to be tabled in Parliament which in any event would be very difficult in the current circumstances."

Ms Sheed said she had been informed the document didn't not require tabling, in either house of the Federal Parliament.

"Accordingly it will be in the Minister's hands to make it available. .

"The minister must know that access to water in the southern Basin is critical to food production such as, dairy products, rice, wheat and other cereals not to mention the huge variety of fruit and vegetables being produced.

"Water policy is arguably now more important as a result of the coronavirus crisis, not less.

"If Mr Keelty's findings indicate that change is needed in how we distribute water, then we must be given the opportunity to assess the recommendations and see what is achievable."

Mr Pitt said he expected to recieve the report this week.

"I'm fully aware of how important it is to many communities throughout the Murray Darling Basin," Mr Pitt said.

"The public can be assured that it will be released as soon as possible and will not be determined by parliamentary sitting dates.

As is standard practice, I will release the report once I've had the opportunity to read it and fully consider any recommendations."

The government's response will be considered in the context of other relevant reviews, including the Sefton Report and ACCC inquiry.

Meanwhile, Mr Pitt has invited irrigators and members of the public to have their say on the government's Water for Fodder drought initiative as part of their scheduled review of the program.

A statement from Minister Pitt said in addition to feedback already received, the review includes an online survey for irrigators and members of the public.

The statement confirmed that the department will also hold targeted consultations with key stakeholder groups, such as irrigation networks.

The Water for Fodder program is the result of a deal made between the federal and South Australian governments, to provide southern basin irrigators with 100GL of cheap water to grow fodder.

The program, designed under previous water minister David Littleproud, was split into two rounds, with 40GL delivered this water year and 60GL to be delivered next water year.

In the first round of the program irrigators were able to apply for 50ML parcels of water, priced at $100/ML.

There were more than 4000 applications received with 800 successful applicants drawn from a ballot program.

Minister Pitt confirmed that more than 90 per cent of successful applicants have now had their water delivered, with the remaining water to be delivered by the end of March.

The survey on round one of the Water for Fodder program is available at https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/.

It will close on Thursday, April 9.

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