NSW Nationals demand changes to Murray-Darling plan or state will pull out

Federal minister David Littleproud responds to mounting pressure with water sharing review by Mick Keelty

The leader of the New South Wales Nationals, John Barilaro, and the water minister, Melinda Pavey, have demanded a major rewrite of the Murray-Darling Basin plan, including that the state be excused from recovering further water for the environment, or the state will pull out.

With a drought wreaking havoc on rural economies, particularly in NSW, the two Nationals ministers have upped the ante and set out a list of demands including that evaporation losses count toward water for the environment.