Government agenda in doubt as Barnaby Joyce rejects South Australia water deal

South Australia's water minister Ian Hunter reportedly used colourful language against Joyce in a heated meeting

The Turnbull government's legislative agenda is in doubt after Barnaby Joyce rejected a deal to release 450 gigalitres of environmental water to South Australia, a stand which may jeopardise Nick Xenophon's votes on other legislation.

The deputy prime minister wrote to the South Australian water minister Ian Hunter on Thursday night to tell him that it was not possible to deliver the 450 gigalitres without hurting other people and local economies along the river.