The mismanagement of the Murray-Darling Basin has become a national issue in 2019. While the Basin’s problems are widely discussed, solutions are not. Practical steps to turn around the fortunes of the Basin and its people are:

• Provide emergency relief to the southern Basin dairy industry.
• Develop a policy framework to ensure diversity in Basin agriculture.
• A federal Royal Commission or federal ICAC investigation.
• Pause the Basin Plan until the above steps have been carried out.

These steps would return a sense of accountability and good management to the Murray Darling. They have strong public support inside and outside the Basin. They can be taken relatively easily if Basin governments have the political will.