The authority's new chairman Craig Knowles has told the ABC an announcement by the scientists that they're withdrawing from the MDBA forum is a bid for more power in negotiations.
Mr Knowles says there has been no decision so far on environmental flows and the stance of the scientists in the Wentworth Group is part of the process.
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The Wentworth Group of Scientists says they will withdraw from the Murray Darling Basin Authority's science forum because there will be no independent review.
The announcement follows reports the government is planning to release less water into the Murray system than needed to restore it because of pressure from affected farmers and communities.
Activist group GetUp says the federal government must commission an independent scientific review into the Murray Darling Basin.
