South Australia will push for an "independent umpire" to be appointed to ensure states and the Commonwealth deliver what has been promised under the Murray-Darling Basin plan.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
or signup to continue reading
Premier Steven Marshall says a key concern under the current system is that government bodies are "marking their own homework".
He says that situation is unacceptable and has resulted in a lack of trust along the river system.
"South Australia is reliant on water being delivered under the plan and an independent umpire will help ensure everyone keeps their end of the deal," the premier said on Thursday.
"We need this new position in place to restore trust and to make sure that here in South Australia that we get the water that we signed up for in the plan.
"We want to get the very best deal for the people of our state."
SA will take its call for independent oversight to a meeting of Basin first ministers in Cairns in August.
The state government will also call on states and the Commonwealth to focus on compliance, transparency and the delivery of water in line with the plan's objectives.
Mr Marshall said the meeting would consider the findings of South Australia's royal commission into the Murray-Darling Basin and the Productivity Commission's five-year assessment of the Basin plan.
Australian Associated Press
