FULL INTERVIEW: Energy Minister Angus Taylor has dismissed criticisms about Eastern Australian Irrigation and the controversial water buyback deal, insisting he 'never had an interest in the company'. Mr Taylor says he 'concluded any associations' with the company, years before the buybacks took place. The Energy Minister and former water minister Barnaby Joyce have attracted scrutiny for the $79 million purchase of water from two Queensland properties owned by Eastern Australia Irrigation. Mr Taylor insists his focus was always on the 'agricultural operational side' of the company and says the government's policy focus has always been on 'getting more water in the basin for environmental purposes'.
