The interim report of the 2023 Murray–Darling Basin Plan implementation review finds the Australian Government’s recently proposed extension of the Basin Plan timeframes is necessary, but won’t be enough.

The report finds that more transparency and accountability is needed and recommends that the Australian Minister for Water report annually to Parliament on the progress, feasibility and cost to date of supply projects, and decide on their future. It also recommends the government commences a renewed program of water recovery, using the most cost‑effective methods, including staged voluntary water entitlement purchases. This should occur alongside a commitment from Basin governments to support communities to adjust, where warranted.

The report also finds that Basin governments need to improve how they partner and share decision making with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recommends that they publicly report on this.