Bill Heffernan castigates all parties for 'playing politics with water'

Liberal senator says promising farmers more water 'is complete garbage' unless the science is right: 'Put the politics to bed, for god's sake'

A Liberal senator has accused all parties - including his own - of "playing politics" with water policy and making promises to rural communities that were the equivalent to offering "free beer" because the science says they can never be delivered.

Bill Heffernan gave the extraordinary spray in a Senate adjournment debate as the forecast "monster El Nino" and looming drought again catapults divisive water politics into the forefront of debate.