Water

Farmers unite against buybacks

By Nicholas Spandler

Apr 14, 2026

Australia’s leading farmer representative bodies are calling for the government to implement practical solutions, moving away from buyback schemes.

Australia’s peak farming groups have called on the Federal Government to rule out further water buybacks and commit to what they described as “smarter” basin management.

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The NFF, NSW Farmers and the VFF presented a united front, warning that additional water recovery would further strain food producers already facing rising fuel and fertiliser costs due to conflict in the Middle East.

With several major water and governance reviews under way, the groups said the Murray-Darling Basin was at a critical juncture and urged governments to reset policy settings with a stronger focus on evidence, delivery and engagement with regional communities.

The groups said they wanted to see the review focus on practical changes, such as a national strategy to reduce fish kills and the repair and replacement of ageing infrastructure.

The organisations are calling for transparent support for the agricultural sector, and recognition that simply adding more water won’t translate to environmental improvement.

NFF president Hamish McIntyre said farmers and towns were still feeling the effects of previous buybacks and could not afford a repeat of past mistakes.

“This is about getting the basin plan right, giving regional communities confidence and not repeating the mistakes of the past,” Mr McIntyre said.

“We’ve seen the damage when policy is done to regions and not with them, and we won’t stand by and let that happen again.”

NSW Farmers president Xavier Martin said water policy needed to reflect science and real‑world outcomes, not blanket recovery targets.

“Australia remains in the midst of a fuel and fertiliser crisis, and we are calling on the government to make sure they don’t cause further water shortages that creates food shortages,” Mr Martin said.

VFF president Brett Hosking said farmers were engaging in good faith across multiple reviews and expected that input to be taken seriously.

“There’s a stack of reviews on the table right now. Farmers are doing the work, engaging in good faith, but we expect to be listened to,” Mr Hosking said.

“We want a basin plan that works in the real world.

“That means smarter management, proper investment, and policies that back in regional communities and avoids destructive buybacks.”

The groups said reviews must deliver a coherent path forward that improved environmental outcomes without undermining regional communities or national food production.