The National Irrigators' Council is an apolitical organisation with members across Australia, we provide advice to governments, oppositions, minor parties and Independent candidates as they consider policies for upcoming elections, and to the public and media as they consider election platforms.  

Our Members are spread across six states covering approximately 20 federal electorates.  Key commodity groups and members collectively represent over 5,000,000 megalitres of water entitlement around Australia used for growing food and fibre.

Irrigated agricultural is essential to Australian’s and many around the world producing food such as milk, fruit, vegetables, rice, grains, sugar, nuts, meat and other commodities such as cotton and wine. The total gross value of irrigated agricultural production in Australia is highly variable due to water availability but is estimated to be approximately $18 billion today - noting the Australian Government is no longer collecting real data on its value.

Keeping irrigated agriculture production costs low through good, fair policies means Australian’s pay less at the checkout for clean and green, sustainable grown food and fibre which has a comparably lower carbon footprint than imported alternatives.

Our Federal Election platform documents set out the requests and recommendations of the NIC in our key public policy area of water.  

We welcome engagement from all candidates. 

Federal Election Platform 2025

A platform to 'Safeguarding Australia's Future: Water for Agriculture and New Actions to Restore our Rivers including priority investment request and actions on National Water Reform and the Murray Darling Basin Plan . 

Federal Election Platform 2022

Water and Energy Recommendations for the 2022 Federal Election, including background documents. 

Federal Election Platform 2019

Water Recommendations for the 2019 Federal Election, including background documents.