Murray-Darling water plan: NSW blames 'politicking' for decision to walk away

Senate blocks plan to cut water returned to environment by 70GL, prompting outrage from Victoria and NSW

The New South Wales government said its plan to walk away from the Murray-Darling basin plan will free it from "the whim of politicking", while blaming Labor and the Greens for bringing the vital water-sharing agreement to the "brink of collapse".

NSW regional water minister, Niall Blair, said the state government would act "calmly" in its next steps, and honour any existing commitments made under the Murray-Darling basin plan.