NATIONAL Party politicians stayed away from a forum at parliament house last week as Southern Riverina Irrigators pleaded with MPs to work with farmers to repair the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
Labour, One Nation, Liberal and Shooters Fishers and Farmers parties all heard SRI chairman Chris Brooks, deputy chairman Darcy Hare and NSW Farmers representative Chris Stillard tell them communities were being destroyed
Organised by One Nation's Rod Roberts and attended by politicians from the Liberal Party, Labor, One Nation and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, the SRI office holders said the MDBP was damaging both regional communities and the environment.
One Lower House Nationals member apologised and later met with the delegation.
Mr Brooks said those who attended were engaged and gained a better understanding of the problems being faced.
Convenor Rod Roberts said it was "a platform for our farmers to speak on failed government policy, the flawed Murray Darling Basin Plan and the destruction of the environment and of local economies.
"Most importantly it was an opportunity for members of this parliament to listen, meet and ask questions of these farmers . . . (who) travelled hundreds of kilometres in their own time and at their own expense begging MPs to hear their stories.
"The attendance record was disappointing given the importance of this issue.
"It further highlights the hypocrisy of the major parties repeatedly saying they are supporting Australian farmers," Mr Roberts said, adding "I implore all politicians to make contact with these farmers and start acting on their behalf".
During the presentation, at one stage Mr Brooks was down on his knees, making the point they were begging for support to pause the Basin Plan and develop a new version that protected farmers and their local communities.
"We explained that if this plan is allowed to continue in its current form it will destroy communities," Mr Brooks said.
"It needs to be paused and we need a royal commission. We also need the Murray-Darling Agreement reviewed - southern New South Wales should not be penalised when the Darling doesn't flow. Downstream of the natural constraints of the system, demand continues unabated.
"This and floodplain harvesting issues need to be addressed.
"We also spoke about the Lower Lakes, including the false science around their historic condition," said Mr Brooks.
"As recent reports have proved beyond doubt, the lakes were historically estuarine, not freshwater, which is the basis the Basin Plan was built on."
Mr Brooks said he understands that the Basin Plan is more about politics than the environment, but implored all politicians to try and put the politics aside and work with farmers and communities to fix the mess that has been created.
He thanked the politicians who took time out of their day to learn more about failed government water policy, namely: Liesl Tesch (Labor), Matthew Manson-Cox (Liberal), Lou Amato (Liberal), Jonathan O'Dea (Liberal), Helen Dalton (SFF), Phil Donato (SFF), Mark Banasiak (SFF), Mark Latham (One Nation) and convenor, Rod Roberts (One Nation).