That is the demand Federal Member for Farrer David Farley will make to Parliament through a notice of motion.
Mr Farley was expected to move the motion yesterday, with the House of Representatives sitting starting as the Southern Riverina News was going to print.
The proposal, known as the Murray-Darling Basin 2026/27 Productive Water Initiative, is designed as a one-season trial to test whether Commonwealth-held environmental water can support food production, regional employment and economic activity while maintaining critical environmental needs.
Mr Farley said the initiative would help restore productive capacity in regional communities without requiring the permanent sale of Commonwealth water entitlements.
“We want the constituency and regional commence to be equal to the environment, not in competition,” he said.
Under the proposal, water would be temporarily allocated for productive use while several major national reviews are completed.
This includes the Water Act 2007 review, the 2026 Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review, the Feeding Australia National Food Security Strategy and the inquiry into Australia’s national civil preparedness and resilience.
The motion also calls for a pause on further water buybacks until those reviews have been completed and considered.
According to the proposal, Commonwealth environmental water holdings across the Murray-Darling Basin totalled about 3179 gigalitres in registered entitlements and 2200GL of long-term diversion limit equivalent as of July 31.
The southern-connected basin accounts for approximately 2399GL of those registered entitlements.
Mr Farley said the proposal comes at a critical time for national water and food security policy.
“During the next year, Parliament and government will consider major reviews concerning water policy, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, national food security and national civil preparedness and resilience.
“The timing of my motion is a unique opportunity - rather than permanently removing further productive capacity while these reviews are underway, Australia can use the 2026-27 season as a controlled national policy trial.
“The initiative can generate real-world evidence for the decisions Parliament will be required to make in 2027.”
Mr Farley said the debate should not be framed as a choice between agriculture and environmental outcomes.
“Australia requires a water policy capable of considering all dimensions of the national interest.
“That involves environmental sustainability, food security, food affordability, regional productive capacity, drought resilience and national sovereignty.”
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