Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party MLC Robert Brown today called-on the National Party and Liberal Party Government to allow the Independent Commission Against Corruption to continue their investigation of water theft allegations in the Murray-Darling Basin.

“There’s only one avenue to effectively investigate these water theft allegations, and that’s through the Independent Commission Against Corruption,” Mr Brown said.

“Farmers deserve a fair go when it comes to water allocation, and that’s why I commenced a Parliamentary inquiry into water policy: I wanted to make sure we get the balance right.

“The constraints placed on irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin are overwhelmingly stacked against them in favour of so-called ‘environmental flows’ of water.

“If people have illegally circumvented these rules for financial gain, then these people must be brought to justice. Further, if this happened with collusion from the Government, then these people must be called-out and investigated to the full extent of the law.

“Only the Independent Commission Against Corruption has the powers to compel evidence, search property, wiretap phones and conduct covert surveillance that is required to get to the bottom of this matter.

“I know water will remain a big issue in the Murray and Cootamundra by-elections, and I hope fairness can be brought back to water management.

“Farmers deserve better.”

Download Robert Brown's press release.