The documents filed in the land and environment court charge Harris with two counts of taking water when the metering equipment was not working, in contravention of the Water Management Act. This is the second round of charges brought against Harris since Four Corners first aired allegations that large irrigators were taking water illegally from the Barwon-Darling and the NSW government had turned a blind eye. He was fined $190,000 for taking water in breach of the rules. The PC’s five-year review into the management of the Murray-Darling basin said the dual roles of the MDBA were often in conflict. Senator Rex Patrick said he would continue to push for a royal commission into the Murray-Darling basin plan.

Source: The Guardian May 21, 2019 08:03 UTC