Environment minister Tanya Plibersek has declined to say if the federal government will use its power to buy back more water
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The states will be given more time to deliver on their pledges to return water to the environment under the Murray-Darling Basin plan despite concerns another El Niño event could deliver more devastating droughts to eastern Australia.
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has formally advised there would be a shortfall of 750 gigalitres – about 25% of the target – by June 2024, when the plan was due to be completed. That’s the equivalent of 300,000 Olympic swimming pools.
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