They represent views ranging from calls by Bob Katter, independent MP for Kennedy (Queensland), to develop the north and dam its rivers to the Greens' calls for a focus on restoring river systems and returning water to the environment.

The Australian Financial Review reports that Tony Windsor has in the past fought for compensation for farmers in his electorate of New England (NSW) whose groundwater licences were reduced by the NSW government.

He is concerned that not enough attention has been paid to the effects of the current reforms on rural communities.

Mr Windsor has also taken an interest in the interface between mining and water in underground aquifers, and is likely to support calls for tighter regulation of mining approval processes in regions with underground water reserves.

He was pleased that both parties pledged during the campaign that any water taken from irrigators for the environment would be paid for, reassuring farmers that there would be no compulsory acquisition without compensation.

But this may prove an expensive promise in the years ahead, potentially adding billions to the $3.1 billion already promised for buybacks and the $5.8 billion pledged over 10 years for water infrastructure.

Mr Katter approaches water issues from a different perspective, pointing out that the north of Queensland has abundant water supplies and arguing that they must be developed.

He wants rivers dammed, new areas opened up to irrigation and northern Queensland to become a major food bowl for the nation.