Making Australians aware of the need to improve water policy for national benefit is expected to be a key focus in 2026 for the Speak Up Campaign.

Its deputy chair, David Farley, is so far the only nomination to take over the chair’s role from retiring high profile Shelley Scoullar, when the organisation hosts its annual general meeting in Finley on 13 February.

Mr Farley, from Narrandera, is an internationally experienced agricultural leader and management executive.

His aim and agenda are clear - to bridge the gap between rural and urban Australia on the understanding of poor water policy and management.

“With nearly 90 per cent of the population living in urban areas the consequences of the Basin Plan are distant, but in reality, it impacts every Australian,” Mr Farley said.

“This impact is at the supermarket in rising food prices, in reduced national resilience during droughts and floods, and in a growing dependence on imported food,” he added.

Mr Farley said it is disturbing that so many people are unaware that by stripping water security from domestic food production, Australia is increasing its exposure to global supply shocks, price volatility and geopolitical risk.

He said all Australians are carrying the ongoing financial burden of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and its billions of dollars in permanent costs, which means there is less money for investment in health, education and productive infrastructure.

“The Basin Plan should not be just an environmental plan, but also an economic and food security plan, and we need to bring these discussions to the national agenda.

“Speak Up's purpose this year and in the future is clear: to take this reality beyond regional Australia and into the national conversation.

“We need to connect water policy to food security, cost of living, and national resilience, and make it clear this is not a regional issue, it is a whole-of-nation risk,” he explained.

The Speak Up Campaign annual general meeting will be held on Friday 13 February at the Finley RS Club, from 12.30pm. Details are on the Speak Up website www.speakup4water.com or by emailing speakup4water@gmail.com

Nominations are still open for executive and committee positions.