Govt under pressure to delay basin plan

The federal government is under pressure to delay a reform plan for the
Murray-Darling Basin as floodwaters replenish the nation's food bowl.
The basin in 2010 recorded its wettest year on record, ending a record sequence of
below-average rainfall years extending back to 2001.
That led to a dramatic recovery in water storages across the basin from 26 per cent
at the start of 2010 to 80 per cent at the start of 2011.
And there's more water on the way as floodwaters from southern Queensland flow into
the system.
Farmers say the turnaround buys the government more time to ensure it gets right a
reform plan being developed by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
A guide to the authority's draft plan, which flags cuts to water allocations of more
than 30 per cent, has angered basin farmers and communities.
Opposition water spokesman Barnaby Joyce, who is helping flood prevention efforts in
his home town of St George in southern Queensland, says legislative changes are
needed to make any reform plan effective.
"No amount of rain changes the (Water) Act and I think that's what we need to do,"
he told ABC Radio on Thursday.
"That's the only way we're going to come up with better outcome."
Senator Joyce fears any plan developed under the current Act risks being thrown out
by the High Court, a position he says is supported by leading constitutional law
experts.