Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie has claimed a win for the Murray Darling Basin with the passage of a bill extending the deadline to recover environmental water.

The independent MP successfully negotiated amendments to the Water Amendment (Restoring our Rivers) Bill 2023 with the Government last week.

The amendments will require the preparation of annual reports on the activities undertaken to achieve the return of the committed 450GL of environmental water. 

The financial year reports must be provided to the Minister by 30 October each year and tabled in the Parliament by the Minister within 15 sitting days.  

Ms Sharkie says the requirement provides needed accountability and transparency measures which have been lacking.

“I'm pleased that Minister Plibersek introduced the Bill which provides the necessary extension of time to secure the 450GL of environmental flows.

"Legislating measures that improve transparency and accountability have always been a priority for me.  

“This is especially the case for a matter as important as environmental water committed under the Murray Darling Basin Plan.

"It is extremely disappointing that members of the Opposition, including the member for Barker, opposed the Bill and my amendments."

Ms Sharkie says the Government supported her amendments, which improved it by putting in place transparency and accountability mechanisms to monitor the progress of delivery of environmental water.

"The environment is a beneficiary of these amendments and a good example of what can be achieved when political parties work collaboratively."  

She says South Australians recognise that the 450GL is an integral part of the Murray Darling Basin Plan and that it is vital for the health of the Murray River system.