The Times Australia
The Times Australia

.

Senator Davey - Buybacks coming to a valley near you


At today’s Senate Water Estimates hearings, the Department of Environment, Climate  Change and Water (DECCW) confirmed Labor’s buybacks are back and coming to seven  valleys across the Basin and it has nothing to do with recovering any of the 450GL. 

The Department said the volume, totalling 46GL, was needed to ‘bridge the gap’ and as such  the socio-economic assessment criteria agreed by the Ministerial Council for the 450GL does  not apply.  

“This news will send shivers through the impacted communities in the seven valleys which  include the Condamine Balonne in Queensland, Barwon-Darling, Border Rivers, Namoi,  Lachlan and Murray Valleys in NSW and the ACT,” said Shadow Water Minister, Perin Davey. 

“When The Nationals were in Government with the Liberals, we were very cognisant of the  damage buybacks had done to regional communities and made water recovery about  outcomes, even for the bridging the gap amount.  

“We ruled out buybacks and concentrated on on-and-off farm infrastructure which could  improve water efficiency outcomes whilst returning water to the environment.  

“Buybacks don’t impact the people selling water, what they do is damage those who want  to remain in agriculture by removing not only water for production, but the ability to  increase production using less water, which then has a flow on effect for all the industries  reliant on agriculture. 

“In many Basin communities just about every job and business in town can be linked back to  the economic base of irrigated agriculture. 

“The Government won’t even tell Australians how much this move is going to cost them,  with the Budget line being displayed as ‘not-for-publication’. 

“The worst part about it is communities in the valleys being targeted for water buyback are  currently underwater and many won’t be following what the Labor Party has in store for  them,” Senator Davey said. 

AI is driving down the price of knowledge – universities have to rethink what they offer

For a long time, universities worked off a simple idea: knowledge was scarce. You paid for tuition, showed up ...

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...