Federal Opposition spokesman for Infrastructure and Water Ian Macfarlane was in Leeton on Tuesday to discuss all things water and meet with industry representatives as well as irrigators.

Mr Macfarlane said he used the visit to gauge the thoughts of irrigators and those in the agriculture industry.

"I'm keen to get a feel for how water reform is going," he said.

"A lot of irrigators continue to have major concerns about water buybacks and so do I.

"They are something that have to be managed for the viability of this region to continue."

While in Leeton Mr Macfarlane visited the SunRice head office and met with Ricegrowers' Association president Les Gordon and SunRice chief executive officer Gerry Lawson.

He also visited Griffith and Coleambally, joined by Member for Riverina Kay Hull.

n Continued Page 2

n From Front Page

Mr Macfarlane hoped the visit would help him to better understand what can be done to help communities continuing to suffer from the drought.

"Irrigators have been continually pushed aside by the Rudd Government," he said.

"What we need is an organised approach in going forward to better manager a future with less water.

"Our approach would be to have all of the states work together, which will be essential in maintaining the viability of regions such as Leeton.

"There has got to be a co-operative effort."

Before meeting with Mr Macfarlane, Mr Gordon said he would be discussing a number of issues with the Minister.

"We want to give him a sound knowledge of the industry here," he said.

"His party is currently formulating their water policies and we would like to discuss that with him.

"We have some strong reservations about proposals for water to become more federally controlled."