{
  "id": 14149270,
  "title": "Liberal stands alongside water buyback supporters despite party opposition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/liberal-stands-alongside-water-buyback-supporters-despite-party",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-13T07:40:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-13/sa-politicians-call-other-basin-states-to-pull-their-weight/107259698"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A coalition of South Australian federal politicians has joined forces with conservation advocates to demand the full implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority recently reported a 265 gigalitre shortfall in the plan due to delayed water-saving projects. Federal Minister Murray Watt is currently considering ways to address this shortfall. The South Australian politicians, representing Labor, Liberal, the Greens, and an independent, gathered in Canberra to advocate for the plan's full delivery, emphasizing the plan's critical role in providing water to 2.4 million people across four states, including over a million in Adelaide. Liberal Senator Andrew McLachlan criticized other states, such as New South Wales and Victoria, for their perceived lack of effort and greed, stating that South Australia has already done its fair share. The Murray-Darling Conservation Alliance, in conflict with the Coalition's stance against water buybacks, suggested water purchasing as the most cost-effective solution to bridge the gap. Neil Burton, a long-time resident of the River Murray, expressed his frustration with other states' failure to meet their targets, emphasizing the river's importance to the region's economy and communities. Burton urged states outside the basin to take an active role in mediating water delivery. Burton's message was clear: the whole nation needs to support the Murray-Darling Basin Plan to ensure the survival of its people, food supply, and way of life.",
  "summary": "South Australian politicians say it is time for the eastern states to contribute their fair share of water to the Murray-Darling Basin.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}