A member of the Liberal Party has publicly broken with their party's official stance to support the federal government’s water buyback program. The initiative, which involves the government purchasing water entitlements from irrigators to return flow to the Murray-Darling Basin, has long been a point of contention between the Labor government and the Coalition.

While the Liberal Party leadership has consistently opposed the buybacks—arguing that they negatively impact regional economies and agricultural productivity—this individual MP has chosen to stand alongside proponents of the policy. The decision marks a notable internal split, suggesting that some members within the Coalition are prioritizing environmental restoration or specific local interests over the party’s broader opposition strategy.

There is currently a disagreement regarding the long-term efficacy of these buybacks. Supporters, including the current government and this dissenting Liberal MP, argue that the purchases are essential to meeting environmental targets and ensuring the health of the river system. Conversely, the official Liberal Party position maintains that the focus should remain on infrastructure upgrades and efficiency projects rather than removing water from the productive pool. The public alignment of a Liberal MP with the government's position underscores the ongoing debate over how best to balance environmental sustainability with the needs of rural communities.