Pumped
“People are profiteering… It’s the biggest water grab in Australia’s history.” Grazier
In Australia’s most important river system, the water is so precious, it could be liquid gold.
“People want to get water in their hands because if you get water in your hands that’s big money.” Grazier
Stretching from Queensland to South Australia, billions of dollars in tax payers’ money has been poured into rescuing the rivers and streams of the Murray-Darling Basin to save it from environmental collapse.
But nearly five years on from a landmark agreement to restore the river, something is wrong.
Cash Splash
Taxpayer dollars, secretive deals and the lucrative business of water.
“It’s a national scandal.” Water economist
Two years on from the Four Corners investigation into water theft in the Murray-Darling Basin that sparked a royal commission, the program returns to the river system to investigate new concerns about how the plan to rescue it is being carried out.
“How extravagant is this scheme?… I’d just call it a rort.” Lawyer
Inland Rivers Network 