A ministerial meeting of  the Federal Government and Basin States has again failed to reach agreement over the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, although Federal Minister for Water Tony Burke said progress and some further concensus had been made on the details.

 

Mr Burke said that he would allow further time for negotiations before using his powers to proceed with the plan.

 

 “While the Act would allow me move to the next stage where I have unilateral legal powers to direct changes, I have decided to continue to seek the final elements of a genuine consensus position over the coming weeks.

 

“Consensus has failed for a century so I don't rule out using these legal powers in the future. But if for the sake of a few more weeks we can get an agreed outcome, then I believe it's worth the continued effort.

 

Mr Burke said the additional consultation with the states did not in any way compromise his determination to have a plan in place this year.

 

Mr Burke said there is strong support for a mechanism which allows the volume of held water to vary within limits in circumstances where water can be used more efficiently, whether that be environmental water or irrigation water.

 

“This puts the focus squarely on outcomes rather than volume,” he said.

 

"While every jurisdiction is actively engaged in finding ways to maximise environmental outcomes while minimising any negative impact on the communities, I don't want to stop that conversation short."

 

South Australian  Premier Jay Weatherill has warned that he is prepared to take legal action against the Plan  that does not deliver satisfactory water to South Australia, either through a High Court challenge if the plan does not meet the Water Act or through action to prevent a plan acceptable to South Australia from being dismissed in Federal Parliament.

 

Queensland, NSW and Victoria have also threatened legal action if the plan results in too much water being removed from irrigators.