Murray-Darling Basin authority told of alleged water theft 'a year' before ABC report

Exclusive: Evidence showed that billions of litres was taken from the Barwon river but federal agency rejected it as flawed

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority knew about allegations of substantial water theft as early as July 2016 but took no serious action until an ABC investigation broadcast new claims a year later, documents obtained by the Guardian reveal.

Related: NSW accused of 'running scared' after postponing review of water regulations