Sandeman, R J2015-12-082015-12-080020-7233http://hdl.handle.net/1885/35847Droughts, changing weather patterns due to climate change, unsustainable state and federal government policies and parochial self interest has brought the major irrigated agricultural region of Australia, the Murray-Darling Basin close to collapse. The present state of the Basin together with the predictions of computer modelling of future climate changes over the next few decades is discussed in relation to the existing attitudes of vested interests at all levels and the various policies now being undertaken by governments in an attempt to address the major problems.Keywords: Agricultural regions; Australia; Emissions trading; Federal governments; Future climates; Government policies; Ramsar wetlands; Water crisis; Weather patterns; Air quality; Climatology; Commerce; Drought; Irrigation; Public policy; Wetlands; Climate chang Climate change; Emissions trading; Government policies; Irrigation; Ramsar wetlands200810.1080/002072308026083192016-02-24