Southern Riverina Irrigators have labelled this week's meeting of water ministers a "disaster", calling Victoria and South Australia "sooks" who refused to support a federal inquiry into water-sharing shows because they have "too much to hide".
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Group chair and Convoy to Canberra co-organiser Chris Brooks said the ministerial committee was a wasted opportunity and emphasised the need for a royal commission into water management.
"You've got a situation where it's almost a state of emergency, where there is no water and they just want to kick it down the road a little bit until it rains or something else happens," he said.
"It's unacceptable."
After meeting with delegates of the Convoy to Canberra earlier this month, federal Water Minister David Littleproud agreed he would ask his state counterparts to give basin inspector general Mick Keelty the power to investigate the impact of the basin plan and water sharing agreements.
Speak Up 4 Water's Shelley Scoullar, a former Denilquin rice farmer, said it was extremely disappointing the states didn't agree to grant Mr Keelty extended powers.
"This could have provided short term relief to desperate food producers and communities in southern NSW and northern Victoria," she said.
"While we have the beginnings of some tough conversations and recognition that the basin plan is not working socially, economically or environmentally, what we need is immediate action."
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Convoy to Canberra's John Lolicato said the plan must stop.
"By not pulling this plan up immediately, state and federal leaders are allowing massive social, economic and environmental devastation," he said.
Mr Brooks said Mr Keelty would still be coming to inspect the region next week.
"We are going to pursue and push as hard as we can for a royal commission, because obviously the states have got a lot of stuff to hide," he said. "We need it all on the table, we need a spotlight on everything."
But South Australian Water Minister David Speirs and Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville defended their positions.
"We believe it would open a Pandora's box and create a whole range of raised expectations which just aren't necessary," Mr Speirs said.
While Ms Neville said a water sharing review was not worthwhile and created false hope there was extra water available, when there wasn't.