COALITION ANNOUNCES WATER TASKFORCE

IMAGE: Murray Darling Basin Authority

By Jessica Dempster

The Coalition is moving to ban further permanent Murray-Darling Basin water buybacks, while launching a taskforce to investigate new water storage and infrastructure projects.

Nationals Leader Matt Canavan says the proposed legislation aims to protect water for farming, regional towns and jobs.

Shadow Water Minister Michael McCormack will lead the new taskforce, examining infrastructure options and consulting growers, irrigators and councils.

The move comes as water availability and the future of the Basin remain major concerns for regional communities ahead of the next federal election.

The Coalition says the taskforce will develop proposals to increase water supplies for agriculture and regional communities.