'Not acceptable': Labor to push ahead with water inquiry

The failure of a federal government department to meet a deadline for documents has sparked Labor into backing an inquiry in water buybacks.

Labor wants an inquiry to investigate two controversial taxpayer-funded water buybacks in 2017. Source: AAP

Labor will seek a formal inquiry into taxpayer-funded water buybacks after a government department failed to meet a deadline for documents.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has asked the auditor-general to look into the controversial $80 million purchase, as well as other purchases dating back to 2008.

Labor and the Greens say repealing the cap on water buybacks will save the Murray-Darling Basin. (AAP) Source: APP

But Labor frontbencher Tony Burke said the failure of the Agriculture Department to provide documents by the close of business on Tuesday was "not acceptable" and it was now clear an independent inquiry, with coercive powers, into the Eastern Australia Agriculture scandal was needed.

More to come.