SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Stand up to Nats bullying on water: Labor

Labor has warned Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to leave water policy with the environment department rather than move it into agriculture.

Barnaby Joyce (L), Malcolm Turnbull (c) and Warren Truss.
Labor's urging the prime minister to stand up to the Nationals over control of water policy. (AAP)

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Labor is urging the prime minister to stand up to bullying by the Nationals and allow the environment minister to retain control of water policy.

Under a deal Malcolm Turnbull negotiated with the junior coalition partner, responsibility for water was moved to the agriculture portfolio held by Nationals deputy leader Barnaby Joyce and assisted by South Australian Liberal Anne Ruston.

Opposition agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday it was wrong for Mr Turnbull to trick Mr Joyce into believing he would control water policy.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world