Push to end cotton export for river's sake

Australians would be banned from exporting cotton under proposed laws aimed at ensuring the Murray-Darling Basin always has enough water flowing through it.

Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie, from South Australia, introduced the legislation to parliament on Monday on the back of recent mass fish kills in the river system.

"The environmental health of the river system, with respect to water and food security, must be a national priority," she said.