The NSW Opposition will refer former water minister Kevin Humphries and a senior water bureaucrat to ICAC after "truly harrowing" revelations on Four Corners about the relationship between them and irrigation lobbyists.
NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair announced this afternoon that he would now appoint an independent person to investigate the allegations.
He said the investigation will look into irrigators' compliance with the system as well as the allegations around a senior bureaucrat and Mr Kevin Humphries.
Shadow water minister Chris Minns said the Government's inquiry was not satisfactory action, which was why Labor would be referring the matter to ICAC.
"We need an external, independent inquiry into the conduct of the senior officials as with the department as well as the former minister," he said.
"Last night's revelations on Four Corners were truly harrowing — it got to the heart of problems with water management along those important river networks."
The program aired leaked recordings of a senior NSW water bureaucrat, Gavin Hanlon, offering to share internal documents with irrigation lobbyists.
In the recording he said he would strip the documents of government logos to assist lobbying against the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
The investigation also revealed that Mr Hanlon did not approve an operation targeting non-compliant irrigators, after department investigators had found evidence of inappropriate water pumping.
"The implications of getting this wrong are profound," Mr Minns said.
"River networks deserve answers to those questions."
Mr Hanlon has moved from his role as water director at the Department of Primary Industries into a different position while the investigation takes place.
