The Australian Academy of Science will bring together a group of experts to prepare an independent report on the Murray-Darling Basin fish kill for Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.

Key points: The Australian Academy of Science will hand its report to Labor, who will make the document public

The Australian Academy of Science will hand its report to Labor, who will make the document public Mr Shorten asked the group to investigate whether water management practices had caused the fish kill

Mr Shorten asked the group to investigate whether water management practices had caused the fish kill The academy says it will approach experts in a range of fields to take part

The academy says the report will be handed to the Labor Party before Federal Parliament resumes. Mr Shorten has committed to make the document public.

The Opposition Leader originally asked Prime Minister Scott Morrison to provide bipartisan support for an emergency scientific taskforce, in the wake of news hundred of thousands of fish had died in a 40-kilometre stretch of the Darling River near Menindee in far-western New South Wales.

But Mr Morrison and his deputy Michael McCormack have both argued that federal and state water managers were already using expert advice to determine the health of the river system.

Mr Shorten has requested the independent scientific group investigate the cause of the fish kill and whether water diversions and water management practices, "have caused or exacerbated the scale of this disaster".

Sorry, this video has expired Rob McBride and Dick Arnold made this emotional plea to politicians about water management.

He has also asked for advice on whether chemical or fertiliser use contributed to the deaths and further, the steps that could be taken to improve the health of Australia's largest river system.

Labor has also requested the researchers provide advice on the impact of climate change on water flows into the Murray-Darling Basin.

The academy has undertaken to provide the advice the weekend before the first parliamentary sitting week this year. Mr Shorten said he would present it to Parliament during that week.

The president of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor John Shine, said he welcomed the chance to provide more information.

"Science is critical to support decision making in creating and maintaining a healthy river system in Australia," Professor Shine said.

"The Australian Academy of Science will commence work immediately by consulting with the other learned academies to convene a group of multidisciplinary experts to provide independent scientific advice on this matter."

Professor Shine said the academy would approach experts in a range of fields to take part.

"The fish kill is a multi-factorial issue and the multidisciplinary panel of experts the Academy of Science will assemble will be knowledgeable across a range of matters that will allow it to respond to the request by the Leader of the Opposition.

"A commitment to using science from independent expert sources to inform policy decisions is crucial for effective decision making in Australia."