Farrer MP David Farley is pushing for unused Commonwealth-owned water to be temporarily made available for productive use across the Murray-Darling Basin.

Mr Farley is expected to put forward a Parliamentary motion calling for a controlled, one-season trial during the 2026-27 water year.

The proposal would aim to support agricultural production, regional economies, employment and Australia’s food security while continuing to protect critical environmental requirements.

Mr Farley says the initiative would not involve the permanent sale or disposal of commonwealth water entitlements.

Instead, he is proposing that some water already held by the commonwealth be used productively while several major reviews of Australia’s water and food security policies are underway.

The motion calls for further water buybacks to be paused until the completion and consideration of the Water Act 2007 review, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review, the Feeding Australia National Food Security Strategy and an inquiry into Australia’s national civil preparedness and resilience.

As of 31 July, Commonwealth environmental water holdings across the Murray-Darling Basin totalled about 3179 gigalitres in registered entitlements, with about 2200 gigalitres in long-term diversion limit equivalent.

The southern-connected Basin accounted for about 2399 gigalitres of registered entitlements.

Mr Farley says the proposal is intended to provide evidence that could help inform longer-term decisions about water policy.

He says the 2026-27 season presents an opportunity to test whether Commonwealth-held water can support food production, employment and regional productive capacity while maintaining environmental outcomes.

Mr Farley says water policy should consider environmental sustainability alongside food security, food affordability, regional economic capacity, drought resilience and national resilience.

The motion was expected to be presented to the Federation Chamber at Parliament House on Tuesday 15 September.