SA Lib worried about water portfolio move

Handing government responsibility for water management to the Nationals could be detrimental for South Australian irrigators, Liberal MP Tony Pasin says.

The Member for Barker, whose electorate includes the lower reaches of the Murray River, says irrigators are concerned about the Nationals' takeover of the water portfolio after a deal with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

"I'm comfortable with its move from agriculture from environment," he told ABC radio.

"I'm just a little concerned about the fact that we now have a deeper involvement by the National Party with respect to the implementation of the plan.

"The National Party don't have a significant interest in the lower end of the river system that I'm responsible for."