"The Commonwealth's new approach to fixing our water crisis is a farce," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"The Prime Minister is proposing a simple recipe in an election year - pick a fight with the states over control of water, splash lots of money around on infrastructure, but do not face up to the hard and politically confronting decisions needed to address over-allocation," she said.

"Until the issue of over-allocation is addressed and the Commonwealth enters into the water market to buy back allocations the river is going to continue to degrade," said Senator Siewert.

"An independent authority is needed that takes the decision-making away from the political process," she said.

"This isn't the boldest and biggest water announcement ever," said Senator Siewert. "This is merely the biggest water distraction to date. We can expect to see more of this in this election year."

Senator Siewert will be holding a media conference at 12 noon WST to respond to the Prime Minister's Press Club address.