NSW diverting Darling water: SA Opposition

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The South Australian Opposition claims water is being illegally diverted from the Darling River in New South Wales.

Water spokesman Mitch Williams has told Parliament that illegal diversions from the Darling are common and are affecting water levels in the River Murray.

Mr Williams says the South Australian Government should be raising the issue with New South Wales.

But Water Minister Karlene Maywald says constitutional rights govern water supplies from the Darling.

"That water belongs to New South Wales until a trigger level is reached in the Menindee Lakes of 640 gigalitres," she said.

"Until that trigger is actually activated through the levels in the lakes the water is available to New South Wales to do what New South Wales wants to do with it, unfortunately we have no way to intervene with that."