There have been allegations levelled at Ms Hodgkinson that she changed laws to benefit irrigators.

The Nationals MP made a shock announcement last week that she was retiring and social media has been alight with allegations it was due to a scandal. 

The Daily Telegraph said they obtained a 2012 letter to lobbyist and cotton farmer Ian Cole showing Ms Hodgkinson had requested amendments be made to the water sharing plan.

Ms Hodgkinson wrote to Mr Cole: “Following consideration of a number of WSP (water sharing plan) matter raised with me, I ­requested the Office of Water to make several amendments which I believe now present a fair and equitable outcome for all.”

Ms Hodgkinson said she stands by her record as a member of parliament and her retirement was not due to any scandal.

"There is nothing sinister, no scandal, I have been thinking about my future for a little while, and I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve achieved in state Parliament, what I am likely to achieve in the future, and I decided to retire,” she said.

“The Murray Darling Basin Plan was a complex negotiation exercise, involving four states, all of whom had their own interests front of mind. I am confident I got the best deal possible for NSW as a result of those tough negotiations, and I stand by my record.”

Ms Hodgkinson said the NSW government was determined to take a triple bottom line approach between environmental, social and economic perspectives prior to signing off on the plan.

“I inherited a one-dimensional plan from Labor as the incoming minister,” she said.

“I also inherited into my portfolio the very grave concerns of affected regional communities, particularly in Western NSW. I am proud of my record as a minister.”