This NAIDOC week, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) and Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) welcome the launch of the Murrumbidgee Catchment Nations Declaration. This year’s NAIDOC theme ‘50 Years of Deadly’ celebrates five decades of First Nations voices calling for truth, celebrating culture and honouring resistance. The Declaration is a Traditional Owner–led […]
In a major milestone for First Nations leadership in environmental watering, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) and the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) have signed their first multi-year partnership agreement up to 30 June 2028. Media Release: Joint media release_MLDRIN and CEWH agreement_Nov 2025_MLDRINendorsed.docx
MEDIA RELEASE 2nd September 2025 The Federal Court today has ruled the NSW Fractured Rock Water Resource Plan (WRP) is invalid because Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek didn’t read it before she signed it off. The court also found the MDBA acted lawfully in recommending to the Minister that the plan be accredited, even […]
MEDIA RELEASE 13th February 2025 Legal action taken by MLDRIN, a Confederation of First Nations from the southern half of the Murray-Darling Basin, has led to the Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek conceding she made a mistake in accrediting the NSW Fractured Rock Water Resource Plan (WRP). The Minister conceded that she made […]
MLDRIN is in the Federal Court today to challenge the decision by Minister Plibersek to accredit the NSW Fractured Rock Water Resource Plan. MLDRIN, a confederation of First Nations from the southern half of the Murray-Darling Basin, is before the Federal Court on Monday to obtain justice for First Nations. The challenge is brought because […]
Media Release – 30 November 2023 Restoring our Rivers Bill delivers long-overdue recognition for First Nations, but Government must not defer key unfinished business MLDRIN welcomes the passage of the Restoring our Rivers Bill through the Senate today, delivering long-overdue recognition and support for Basin First Nations’ water rights. When the Restoring our Rivers Bill […]
Media Release 29 November 2023 MLDRIN welcomes an agreement between Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe and the Government today, which will see a $20 million cultural flows planning program delivered in the Murray Darling Basin. This program underpins efforts towards self-determination and water rights for Basin First Nations. An agreement to deliver the funding was reached […]
Media Release 13th November 2023 MLDRIN applauds legal practitioners and academics who signed open letter supporting First Nations water rights MLDRIN, a self-determined, First Nation’s owned organization, extends its thanks to the fifty-plus legal practitioners and academics, including some of the country’s leading barristers’, who signed an open letter to Members of the Federal Parliament […]
Media Release 26 October 2023 MLDRIN launches legal challenge against Commonwealth over consultation failures in Murray-Darling Water Resource Plan A confederation of more than 20 Murray-Darling Basin First Nations has launched a legal challenge against Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s approval of a Water Resource Plan last year. The NSW Fractured Rock Water Resource Plan […]
MLDRIN hopes that the initiative announced by Minister Plibersek and Minister Burney today will not further delay the delivery of a $40 million commitment made to the Nations of the Murray Darling Basin in 2018 for the purchase of cultural and economic water entitlements. You can read the ABC coverage of this announcement and MLDRIN […]