Footnotes


Chapter 1 - Introduction and background

[1]        Journals of the Senate No. 54, 16 August 2017, p. 1733.

[2]        Journals of the Senate No. 77, 5 December 2017, p. 2462.

[3]        Journals of the Senate No. 91, 22 March 2018, p. 2897.

[4]        See https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Rural_and_Regional_ Affairs_and_Transport

[5]        Sarah Ferguson, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 2].

All references to the Four Corners program 'Pumped' are based on a PDF of the transcript of the program, as published on the Four Corners website, at http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/pumped/8727826 (accessed 15 January 2018).

[6]        The committee acknowledges the legal concerns put forward about water rights, land rights and personal property, and the difficulties these may present in determining what constitutes 'water theft'; see for example, Law Council of Australia, Submission 10, and Dr Adam Loch, Dr Erin O'Donnell, Dr David Adamson and Dr Avril Horne, Submission 12.

[7]        Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 24 July 2017.

[8]        Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 24 July 2017.

[9]        Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 9].

[10]      Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 8].

[11]      Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 9].

[12]      Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [pp. 7-8].

[13]      Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 9].

[14]      Andrew Clennell, 'Irrigator Peter Harris summonsed for 'illegal' water use', The Australian, 14 November 2017,  https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/irrigator-peter-harris-summonsed-for-illegal-water-use/news-story/25b0d3cd0e19dd6a304fc6d1c023b130  (accessed 14 November 2017 and 12 November 2018).

[15]      Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 7.]

[16]      Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 7].

[17]      Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 7].

[18]      Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 4].

[19]      Webster Limited, Investor Information – Response to ABC Fabrications, http://www.websterltd.com.au/ (accessed 17 January 2018). 

[20]      Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 10].

[21]      Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 10].

[22]      Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 10].

[23]      Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 4].

[24]      Linton Besser, 'Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?', ABC Four Corners, 25 July 2017, [p. 4].

[25]      Peter Hannam, 'More claims of excess water extraction by NSW irrigators surface', Sydney Morning Herald, 5 August 2017, http://www.smh.com.au/environment/more-claims-of-excess-water-extraction-by-nsw-irrigators-surface-20170805-gxq2jh.html (accessed 23 August 2017).

[26]      Peter Hannam, 'More claims of excess water extraction by NSW irrigators surface', Sydney Morning Herald, 5 August 2017.

[27]      Anne Davies, 'Policing of NSW water licences slowed to trickle over 12 months', The Guardian, 28 September 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/sep/27/policing-of-nsw-water-licences-slowed-to-trickle-over-12-months (accessed 22 January 2018).

[28]      The report referred to is Identifying locations and timing of water extractions in the Barwon-Darling using remote sensing data – Australian Geoscience Data Cube pilot project, April 2017, https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/pubs/Data-cube-report.pdf (accessed 9 November 2018).

[29]      Michael Slezak, 'Murray‑Darling Basin Authority knew of allegations of water theft a year before ABC report', The Guardian, 27 September 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/sep/27/murray-darling-basin-authority-knew-of-allegations-of-water-theft-a-year-before-abc-report (accessed 27 September 2017).

[30]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Submission 26, p. 5.

[31]      Michael Slezak, 'Murray‑Darling Basin Authority knew of allegations of water theft a year before ABC report', The Guardian, 27 September 2017.

[32]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Submission 26, p. 5.

[33]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Submission 26, p. 3.

[34]      Andrew Clennell, 'Irrigator summonsed for 'illegal' water use', The Australian, 14 November 2017, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/irrigator-peter-harris-summonsed-for-illegal-water-use/news-story/25b0d3cd0e19dd6a304fc6d1c023b130 (accessed 14 November 2017).

[35]      Lucy McNally, 'Alleged Barwon-Darling water thieves to be prosecuted after ABC investigation', ABC News, 8 March 2018, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-08/nsw-water-theft-barwon-darling-government-prosecuting/9527364 (accessed 31 July 2018).

[36]      Alex Druce, 'Harris and Barlow families plead not guilty to alleged Barwon-Darling water thefts in Land and Environment Court', The Northern Daily Leader, 29 June 2018, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-08/nsw-water-theft-barwon-darling-government-prosecuting/9527364 (accessed 31 July 2018).

[37]      Queensland Police News, 'Two men charged for $20m fraud offences', 28 August 2018, https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/blog/2018/08/28/two-men-charged-for-20m-fraud-offences/ (accessed 14 September 2018); Lexy Hamilton-Smith, 'Cotton farm execs accused of $20m fraud over Murray-Darling water funding', ABC News, 28 August 2018, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-28/cotton-executives-20-million-fraud-allegation-norman-farming/10172736 (accessed 14 September 2018).

[38]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, MDBA reports, 25 November 2017, https://www.mdba.gov.au/publications/mdba-reports/murray-darling-basin-water-compliance-review (accessed 16 January 2018).

[39]      Australian National Audit Office, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources' Assessment of New South Wales' Protection and use of Environmental Water under the National Partnership Agreement in Implementing Water Reform in the Murray‑Darling Basin, ANAO Report No. 17 of 2017-18, https://www.anao.gov.au/work/assurance-review/dept-agriculture-water-resources-assessment-nsw-protection-use-environmental-water-mdb (accessed 16 January 2018).

[40]      NSW Department of Industry, Independent review of water management and compliance, https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/about/our-business/independent-review-water-management-and-compliance (accessed 16 January 2018).

[41]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, https://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/news-and-publications/publications/reports/state-and-local-government/investigation-into-water-compliance-and-enforcement-2007-17 (accessed 16 January 2018), and Water: compliance and enforcement – a special report to parliament, https://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/news-and-publications/publications/reports/state-and-local-government/water-compliance-and-enforcement (accessed 13 September 2018).

[42]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance – interim report, 8 September 2017, pp. 14-15, https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/120193/Matthews-interim-report-nsw-water.pdf (accessed 16 January 2018).

[43]      The Hon Jay Weatherill MP, Premier of South Australia, 'Bret Walker SC recommended to lead Murray‑Darling Basin Royal Commission', Media release, 16 December 2017, https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/index.php/jay-weatherill-news-releases/8455-bret-walker-sc-recommended-to-lead-murray-darling-basin-royal-commission (accessed 16 January 2018); and Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission, https://mdbrcsa.govcms.gov.au/ (accessed 13 September 2018)

[44]      Productivity Commission, Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Five-year assessment, https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/basin-plan/draft (accessed 13 September 2018).

[45]      The Hon Lisa Neville MP, Victorian Minister for Water, 'Standing up for the Basin Plan and Victorian Communities', Media Release, 19 December 2017, https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/standing-up-for-the-basin-plan-and-victorian-communities/ (accessed 11 January 2018).

[46]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Communique: Murray-Darling Basin Ministers meet in Canberra, 8 June 2018, https://www.mdba.gov.au/media/mr/communique-murray-darling-basin-ministers-meet-canberra (accessed 8 November 2018).

[47]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, November 2017, p. 12,  https://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/50133/Investigation-into-water-compliance-and-enforcement-2007-17.pdf (accessed 9 January 2018).

The Ombudsman's report is discussed in further detail in Chapter 3.

[48]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 5.

The Matthews review is discussed in further detail in Chapter 3.

[49]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 11, https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/pubs/MDB-Compliance-Review-Final-Report.pdf (accessed 11 January 2018).

[50]      Dr Adam Loch, Dr Erin O'Donnell, Dr David Adamson and Dr Avril Horne, Submission 12, p. 4.

[51]      Senate Select Committee on the Murray‑Darling Basin Plan, Refreshing the Plan, March 2016, pp. 17-18, https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/ Murray_Darling_Basin_Plan/murraydarling/Report (accessed 1 November 2018).

[52]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 17.

[53]      The differences in water metering between the northern and southern Basins are discussed in further detail in Chapter 2.

[54]      Mr Ben Bruce, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, p. 2.

[55]      Mr Leon Zanker, Australian Floodplain Association, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 23.

[56]      Councillor Darriea Turley and Councillor Marion Browne, Broken Hill City Council, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, pp. 16-17.

[57]      Councillor Darriea Turley, Broken Hill City Council, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 17.

[58]      Mr Rene Woods, Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, p. 10.

[59]      Councillor Phillip O’Connor, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 9.

[60]      Miss Kate McBride, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 1.

[61]      Mr Robert McBride, Submission 14, [p. 2].

[62]      Mr Bill Johnson, Private capacity, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 43.

[63]      Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Submission 16, [p. 1].  See also Australian Conservation Foundation, Submission 37, [p. 1].

[64]      Environment Victoria, Submission 55, [p. 5].

[65]      Mr Mark Zanker, Submission 5, [p. 1].

[66]      Mr Justin McClure, Australian Floodplain Association, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, pp. 21-22.

[67]      Dr Anne E Jensen, Submission 23, [p. 2].

[68]      Mr Lachlan Gall, Pastoralists' Association of West Darling, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 32.

[69]      Mr Lachlan Gall, Pastoralists' Association of West Darling, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 33.

[70]      Professor Richard Kingsford, Submission 27, p. 7.

[71]      Ms Caren Martin, South Australian Murray Irrigators, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, p. 24.

[72]      Mr Bill Johnson, Private capacity, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 41.

[73]      Mr Stuart LeLievre, Australian Floodplain Association, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, pp. 27-28.

[74]      Macquarie Marshes Environmental Landholders Association, Submission 20, [p. 1].

[75]      Inland Rivers Network, Submission 54, pp. 2, 4.

[76]      Ms Caren Martin, South Australia Murray Irrigators, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, pp. 29-30.

[77]      Mr Grant Rigney, Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, pp. 8-9.

[78]      Professor Richard Kingsford, Submission 27, pp. 4, 7.

[79]      Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, Submission 33, p. 4.

[80]      Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association, Submission 46, p. 11.

[81]      Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association, Submission 46, p. 18.

[82]      Barwon-Darling Water, Submission 50, pp. 3-4, 9.

[83]      Cotton Australia, Submission 17, pp. 10, 12.

[84]      National Irrigators' Council, Submission 31, pp. 6-8.

[85]      Lachlan Valley Water, Submission 39, p. 3.

[86]      Queensland Farmers' Federation, Submission 7, p. 2.

[87]      Mungindi Water Users' and Cotton Growers Association Inc., Submission 53, pp. 5-6. 

Chapter 2 - Regulatory framework for the Murray‑Darling Basin and water metering and monitoring

[1]        Explanatory Memorandum, Water Bill 2007, p. 2.

[2]        Water Act 2007, Part 1, s. 3, https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017C00151

[3]        Murray-Darling Basin Authority, What's in the Basin Plan?, https://www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan/whats-basin-plan (accessed 19 January 2018).

[4]        Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 47, p. 2.

[5]        Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Basin Plan timeline, https://www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan/basin-plan-timeline

[6]        Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Water resource plans, https://www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan-roll-out/water-resource-plans (accessed 19 January 2018).

[7]        Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Water resource plans, https://www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan-roll-out/water-resource-plans (accessed 19 January 2018).

[8]        Any references in this report to 'Basin state' includes the Australian Capital Territory.

[9]        Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Annual Report 2016‑17, pp. 7, 11; Senate Select Committee on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, Refreshing the Plan, March 2016, p. 10.

[10]      Water Act 2007, s.136.

[11]      Water Act 2007, ss. 136-170; ss. 216-239. The MDBA's compliance functions are discussed further in Chapter 4.

[12]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Annual Report 2016‑17, p. 21; Senate Select Committee on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, Refreshing the Plan, March 2016, p. 179.

[13]      Water Act 2007, s. 136.

[14]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Basin Plan Annual Report 2015-16, April 2017, p. 12.

[15]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Basin Officials Committee, https://www.mdba.gov.au/about-us/governance/basin-officials-committee (accessed 12 October 2017).

[16]      Council of Australian Governments, Intergovernmental Agreement on Implementing Water Reform in the Murray-Darling Basin, June 2013, pp. 2 and 6.

[17]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, National Partnership Agreement on Implementing Water Reform in the Murray-Darling Basin: milestone assessment reports, October 2016, http://www.agriculture.gov.au/water/mdb/npa-water-reform-mdb-milestone-reports (accessed 11 December 2017).

[18]      Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Submission 9, p. 1.

[19]      Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Response to the ACCC Review of Water Charges Rules Draft Advice, November 2015, p. 1.

[20]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Annual Report 2015-16, April 2017, p. 12.

[21]      Senate Select Committee on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, Refreshing the Plan, March 2016, p. 179.

[22]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Submission 26, p. 2.

[23]      Mr Phillip Glyde, Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, p. 73.

[24]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Submission 26, p. 2.

[25]      NSW Department of Primary Industries, Barwon-Darling Unregulated and Alluvial, http://www.water.nsw.gov.au/water-management/water-sharing/plans_commenced/water-source/bdua (accessed 30 August 2017).

[26]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Submission 26, p. 4.

[27]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Submission 26, p. 4.

[28]      This view was disputed by Barwon-Darling Water; see Submission 50, pp. 14-15.

[29]      Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Submission 9,  pp. 3-4.

[30]      Mr Lachlan Gall, Pastoralists' Association of West Darling, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 31.

[31]      Cotton Australia, Submission 17, p. 9.

[32]      National Irrigators' Council, Submission 31, pp. 14-15. See also Barwon-Darling Water, Submission 50, p. 15.

[33]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism, https://www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan-roll-out/sustainable-diversion-limits (accessed 19 January 2018).

[34]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) adjustment mechanism, 9 October 2017, http://www.agriculture.gov.au/water/mdb/policy/sdl-adjustment-mechanism (accessed 19 January 2018).

[35]      Department of the Environment and Energy, Fact sheet: Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) adjustment mechanism, http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/mdb/factsheet-sustainable-diversion-limit-sdl-adjustment-mechanism (accessed 23 January 2018).

[36]      Department of the Environment and Energy, Fact sheet: Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) adjustment mechanism.

[37]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 47, p. 2.

[38]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism, https://www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan-roll-out/sustainable-diversion-limits (accessed 19 January 2018).

[39]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Water recovery, https://www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan-roll-out/water-recovery (accessed 31 October 2018).

[40]      Mr Phillip Glyde, Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, p. 63.

[41]      Mr Grant Rigney, Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, pp. 10-11.

[42]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, National Water Initiative, 10 August 2017, http://www.agriculture.gov.au/water/policy/nwi (accessed 6 November 2018).

[43]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative, pp. 18-19, http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/water/ Intergovernmental-Agreement-on-a-national-water-initiative.pdf (accessed 6 November 2018).

[44]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, National Framework for Non-urban Water Metering, http://www.agriculture.gov.au/water/policy/nwi/nonurban-water-metering-framework (accessed 6 November 2018).

[45]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 47, p. 4.

[46]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 47, p. 4.

[47]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, answers to questions on notice, 27 October 2017 (received 20 December 2017).

[48]      The Victorian Government provided a submission detailing its compliance and enforcement framework; see Submission 45, pp. 1-2.

[49]      Mr Mike Fuller, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, p. 5.

[50]      Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, answers to questions on notice, 2 November 2017 (received 23 February 2018).

[51]      Mr Mike Fuller, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, pp. 5-6.

[52]      Mr Mike Fuller, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, p. 5.

[53]      Mr Mike Fuller, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, p. 6.

[54]      Mr Mike Fuller, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, pp. 6-7.

[55]      Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, answers to questions on notice, 2 November 2017 (received 23 February 2018).

[56]      Ms Caren Martin, South Australia Murray Irrigators, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, p. 24.

[57]      Mr Paul Shanks, South Australia Murray Irrigators, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, p. 25.

[58]      NSW Government Office of Water, NSW Sustaining the Program: NSW Metering Project Business Case, June 2010, p. iii; http://www.water.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/ 549278/recovery_sustain_basin_bc_meters_now_11june10.pdf (accessed 8 November 2018).

[59]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, response to questions on notice, 27 October 2017 (received 20 December 2017).

[60]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, response to questions on notice, 27 October 2017 (received 20 December 2017).

[61]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, response to questions on notice, 27 October 2017 (received 20 December 2017).

[62]      Mr Malcolm Thompson, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, p. 58.

[63]      Mr Paul Morris, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, p. 57.

[64]      Ms Mary Colreavy, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, pp. 58-59.

[65]      Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, Submission 33, pp. 2, 3.

[66]      Australian Floodplain Association, Submission 44, p. 4.

[67]      National Farmers' Federation, Submission 42, pp. 5-6.

[68]      Barwon-Darling Water, Submission 50, p. 11.

[69]      Mr Lindsay Godfrey, Paroo Shire Council, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, pp. 16-17.

[70]      Dr Adam Loch, Dr Erin O'Donnell, Dr David Adamson and Dr Avril Horne, Submission 12, p. 9.

[71]      Dr Adam Loch, Dr Erin O'Donnell, Dr David Adamson and Dr Avril Horne, Submission 12, p. 10.

[72]      Australian Conservation Foundation, Submission 37, [p. 5].

[73]      Mr Grant Rigney and Mr Rene Woods, Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, p. 9.

[74]      Ms Elizabeth Tregenza, River Lakes and Coorong Action Group Inc., Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, p. 22.

Chapter 3 - Investigations into Basin-state water management

[1]        NSW Department of Industry, Independent review of water management and compliance, https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/about/our-business/independent-review-water-management-and-compliance (accessed 11 December 2017).

[2]        Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 16; https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/__data/ assets/pdf_file/0016/120193/Matthews-interim-report-nsw-water.pdf (accessed 11 December 2017).

[3]        Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 4.

[4]        Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 4.

[5]        Australian Associated Press, 'Top bureaucrat faces misconduct proceedings over Murray-Darling water theft allegations', The Guardian, 11 September 2017, https://www.theguardian. com/australia-news/2017/sep/11/top-bureaucrat-misconduct-proceedings-over-murray-darling-water-theft-allegations (accessed 15 January 2018). 

[6]        Patrick Begley, 'Top water bureaucrat Gavin Hanlon resigns after corruption allegations', Sydney Morning Herald, 16 September 2017, http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/top-water-bureaucrat-gavin-hanlon-resigns-after-corruption-allegations-20170915-gyiq7h.html (accessed 15 January 2018).

[7]        Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 36.

[8]        Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 37.

[9]        Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 5.

[10]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 39.

[11]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, pp. 4-5.

[12]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 40.

[13]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 40.

[14]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 40.

[15]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, pp. 40-41.

[16]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 41.

[17]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 41.

[18]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, pp. 5, 41.

[19]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 41.

[20]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, pp. 41-42.

[21]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 42.

[22]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 38.

[23]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 38.

[24]      Parliament of New South Wales, Natural Resources Access Regulator Bill 2017, https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/bills/Pages/bill-details.aspx?pk=3460 (accessed 12 December 2017).

[25]      NSW Department of Industry, Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR), https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/natural-resources-access-regulator (accessed 2 November 2018).

[26]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, pp. 38-39.

[27]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, pp. 42-43.

[28]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 43.

[29]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance – advice on implementation, final report, 24 November 2017, p. 1.

[30]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance – advice on implementation, final report, 24 November 2017, p. 1.

[31]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance – advice on implementation, final report, 24 November 2017, p. 3.

[32]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance – advice on implementation, final report, 24 November 2017, p. 3.

[33]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance – advice on implementation, final report, 24 November 2017, pp. 10-11.

[34]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance – advice on implementation, final report, 24 November 2017, pp. 24-25.

[35]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance – advice on implementation, final report, 24 November 2017, p. 25.

[36]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance – advice on implementation, final report, 24 November 2017, pp. 25-26.

[37]      Mr Robert McBride, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 4.

[38]      Mr Justin McClure, Australian Floodplain Association, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 22.

[39]      Mr Grant Rigney and Mr Rene Woods, Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations, Committee Hansard, 2 November 2017, p. 9.

[40]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, November 2017, Foreword, https://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/50133/ Investigation-into-water-compliance-and-enforcement-2007-17.pdf (accessed 9 January 2018).

[41]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, November 2017, p. 7.

[42]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, November 2017, p. 7.

[43]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, November 2017, pp. 2, 9, 14.

[44]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, November 2017, pp. 14-15.

[45]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, November 2017, p. 19.

[46]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, November 2017, p. 20.

[47]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, November 2017, p. 16.

[48]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, November 2017, p. 23.

[49]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, November 2017, pp. 5-6.

[50]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, November 2017, p. 28.

[51]      NSW Ombudsman, Investigation into water compliance and enforcement 2007-17, November 2017, p. 28.

[52]      NSW Ombudsman, Water: compliance and enforcement, 17 August 2018, p. i. https://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/news-and-publications/publications/reports/state-and-local-government/water-compliance-and-enforcement (accessed 13 September 2018).

[53]      NSW Ombudsman, Water: compliance and enforcement, 17 August 2018, p. o.

[54]      NSW Ombudsman, Water: compliance and enforcement, 17 August 2018, p. o.

[55]      NSW Ombudsman, Water: compliance and enforcement, 17 August 2018, pp. 62-63.

[56]      NSW Ombudsman, Water: compliance and enforcement, 17 August 2018, p. 63.

[57]      NSW Department of Industry, 'Over 100 actions taken by new water regulator', Media release, 19 September 2018, https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/media/releases/2018/over-100-actions-taken-by-new-water-regulator (accessed 7 November 2018).

[58]      NSW Department of Industry, 'Water regulator sends strong message', Media release, 15 October 2018, https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/media/releases/2018/water-regulator-sends-strong-message (accessed 7 November 2018).

[59]      Australian National Audit Office, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources' Assessment of New South Wales' Protection and use of Environmental Water under the National Partnership Agreement in Implementing Water Reform in the Murray‑Darling Basin, ANAO Report No. 17 2017-18, pp. 9, 13.

[60]      Australian National Audit Office, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources' Assessment of New South Wales' Protection and use of Environmental Water under the National Partnership Agreement in Implementing Water Reform in the Murray‑Darling Basin, ANAO Report No. 17 2017-18, p. 10.

[61]      Australian National Audit Office, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources' Assessment of New South Wales' Protection and use of Environmental Water under the National Partnership Agreement in Implementing Water Reform in the Murray‑Darling Basin, ANAO Report No. 17 2017-18, p. 10.

[62]      Australian National Audit Office, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources' Assessment of New South Wales' Protection and use of Environmental Water under the National Partnership Agreement in Implementing Water Reform in the Murray‑Darling Basin, ANAO Report No. 17 2017-18, p. 14.

[63]      Australian National Audit Office, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources' Assessment of New South Wales' Protection and use of Environmental Water under the National Partnership Agreement in Implementing Water Reform in the Murray‑Darling Basin, ANAO Report No. 17 2017-18, pp. 17-18.

[64]      Australian National Audit Office, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources' Assessment of New South Wales' Protection and use of Environmental Water under the National Partnership Agreement in Implementing Water Reform in the Murray‑Darling Basin, ANAO Report No. 17 2017-18, p. 18.

[65]      Australian National Audit Office, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources' Assessment of New South Wales' Protection and use of Environmental Water under the National Partnership Agreement in Implementing Water Reform in the Murray‑Darling Basin, ANAO Report No. 17 2017-18, p. 6.

[66]      Productivity Commission, Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Five-year assessment; Draft Report, Overview and Recommendations, August 2018, p. 3.

[67]      Productivity Commission, Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Five-year assessment; Draft Report, Overview and Recommendations, August 2018, pp. 2, 14;  https://www.pc.gov.au/ inquiries/current/basin-plan/draft/basin-plan-draft-overview.pdf (accessed 14 September 2018).

[68]      Productivity Commission, Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Five-year assessment; Draft Report, Overview and Recommendations, August 2018, pp. 2, 21.

[69]      Productivity Commission, Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Five-year assessment; Draft Report, Overview and Recommendations, August 2018, p. 22.

[70]      Productivity Commission, Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Five-year assessment; Draft Report, Overview and Recommendations, August 2018, p. 14.

[71]      Productivity Commission, Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Five-year assessment; Draft Report, Overview and Recommendations, August 2018, p. 21.

[72]      Productivity Commission, Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Five-year assessment; Draft Report, Overview and Recommendations, August 2018, pp. 22-23, 48. See p. 23 for a diagrammatic representation of the suggested new arrangements.

[73]      The Hon Jay Weatherill MP, Premier of South Australia, 'South Australia to establish Royal Commission into River Murray water theft', Media release, 26 November 2017, https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/index.php/jay-weatherill-news-releases/8354-south-australia-to-establish-royal-commission-into-river-murray-water-theft (accessed 10 January 2018).

[74]      Government of South Australia, Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission – Draft Terms of Reference, pp. 2-3, available from 'The Murray-Darling. Who's taking more than their fair share?', YourSAy, December 2017, https://yoursay.sa.gov.au/decisions/murray-darling/about (accessed 16 January 2018).

[75]      Murray‑Darling Basin Royal Commission, Terms of Reference, https://www.mdbrc.sa.gov.au/ resources/terms-reference (accessed 2 November 2018).  

[76]      Murray‑Darling Basin Royal Commission, https://www.mdbrc.sa.gov.au/ (accessed 2 November 2018). 

[77]      See, for example: River Lakes and Coorong Action Group Inc., Submission 11, [p. 2]; WWF‑Australia, Submission 15, p. 2; Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Submission 16, [pp.2-3]; EDOs of Australia, Submission 18, p. 10; Ms Sarah Moles, Submission 19, [p. 2]; Ms Anne Hartnett, Submission 34, [p. 2]; Broken Hill City Council, Submission 25, [p. 2]; Professor Richard Kingsford, Submission 27, p. 3; South Australian Murray Irrigators, Submission 35, [p. 3]; Australian Conservation Foundation, Submission 37, [p.7]; Ms Anne E. Reeves OAM, Submission 38, p. 4; Pastoralists' Association of West Darling, Submission 40, p. 2; Ms Ruby Davies, Submission 52, [p. 5], and Inland Rivers Network, Submission 54, p. 3.

[78]      Mr Leon Zanker, Australian Floodplain Association, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 23.

[79]      Mr Lachlan Gall, Pastoralists' Association of West Darling, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 37.

[80]      National Farmers' Federation, Submission 42, p. 9.

[81]      Councillor Phillip O’Connor, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 11.

[82]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 47, p. 7.

[83]      Independent audit of Queensland non-urban water measurement and compliance – final report, 23 March 2018, pp. i-ii, https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/ 1396756/independent-audit-water.pdf (accessed 2 November 2018).

[84]      Queensland Government, Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, Improving Queensland's rural water management, https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au/land-water/initiatives/rural-water-management (accessed 2 November 2018).

Chapter 4 - Compliance and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority

[1]        Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Submission 26, p. 2.

[2]        Murray-Darling Basin Authority, answers to questions on notice, 27 October 2017 (received 20 December 2017).

[3]        Mr Phillip Glyde, Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, pp. 67, 78.

[4]        Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Submission 26, p. 3.

[5]        Mr Phillip Glyde, Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, p. 56.

[6]        Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 1, https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/pubs/MDB-Compliance-Review-Final-Report.pdf (accessed 11 January 2018).

[7]        Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 2.

[8]        Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 1.

[9]        Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 47, p. 8.

[10]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 12.

[11]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, pp. 12-13.

[12]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 13.

[13]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 13.

[14]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 13.

[15]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 13.

[16]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 14.

[17]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 14.

[18]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, pp. 15, 25.

[19]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 15.

[20]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, pp. 14-15.

[21]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, pp. 27-28.

[22]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, pp. 17-18.

[23]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 20.

[24]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Model improvement program, 16 August 2018, https://www.mdba.gov.au/publications/mdba-reports/model-improvement-program (accessed 12 November 2018).

[25]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, pp. 20-21.

[26]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, pp. 21-22.

[27]      As an example of inconsistencies, the WCR stated that the maximum penalty in NSW for illegal take is $2.2 million for a corporation, with a first offence in Victoria attracting a penalty of $9,514.

[28]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 22.

[29]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 23.

[30]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 23.

[31]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 24.

[32]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, pp. 24-25.

[33]      See also the 'Case Study on Protection of Environmental Flows in the Barwon‑Darling, NSW', Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, pp. 69-70.

[34]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 26.

[35]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 26.

[36]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 27.

[37]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 100.

[38]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 101.

[39]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 102.

[40]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 103.

[41]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, pp. 103-104.

[42]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, The Murray-Darling Basin Water Compliance Review, November 2017, p. 104.

[43]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Independent Assurance Committee to strengthen Basin‑wide compliance, 12 February 2018, https://www.mdba.gov.au/media/mr/independent-assurance-committee-strengthen-basin-wide-compliance (accessed 13 February 2018).

[44]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Independent Assurance Committee to strengthen Basin‑wide compliance, 12 February 2018.

[45]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Compliance and enforcement: Compliance Independent Assurance Committee, https://www.mdba.gov.au/basin-plan-roll-out/compliance-enforcement/compliance-independent-assurance-committee (accessed 13 February 2018).

[46]      Murray­‑Darling Basin Authority,  Action on Compliance Review, https://www.mdba.gov.au/ basin-plan-roll-out/basin-wide-compliance-review/action-compliance-review (accessed 13 February 2018).

[47]      Murray­‑Darling Basin Authority, Action on Compliance Review, https://www.mdba.gov.au/ basin-plan-roll-out/basin-wide-compliance-review/action-compliance-review (accessed 13 February 2018).

[48]      Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Compliance and enforcement policy 2018‑21, June 2018, pp. 5-6, https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/pubs/MDBA-Compliance-and-enforcement-policy-2018.pdf (accessed 12 November 2018).

[49]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Communique: Murray‑Darling Basin Ministers meet in Albury, 19 December 2017, https://www.mdba.gov.au/media/mr/communique-murray-darling-basin-ministers-meet-albury (accessed 13 February 2018).

[50]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Communique: Murray‑Darling Basin Ministers meet in Albury, 19 December 2017.

[51]      Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, MDBA welcomes Basin ministers' shared commitment to compliance, 21 December 2017, https://www.mdba.gov.au/media/mr/mdba-welcomes-basin-ministers%E2%80%99-shared-commitment-compliance (accessed 13 February 2018).

[52]      Murray‑Darling Basin Compliance Compact, 8 June 2018, pp. 2-8, https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/pubs/Basin-Compliance-Compact_0.pdf (accessed 1 November 2018).

[53]      Murray‑Darling Basin Compliance Compact, 8 June 2018, pp. 5-6.

[54]      Murray‑Darling Basin Compliance Compact, 8 June 2018, p. 2.

[55]      Murray‑Darling Basin Compliance Compact, 8 June 2018, p. 5.

Chapter 5 - Use and oversight of Commonwealth water

[1]        House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy, https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Environment_and_Energy/EnvironmentalWater (accessed 5 November 2018). A tabling date for the final report is yet to be specified.

[2]        Murray‑Darling Basin Authority, Water for the environment, https://www.mdba.gov.au/ managing-water/water-for-environment (accessed 5 November 2018).

[3]        NSW Government, Submission 13, p. 3.

[4]        Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Submission 9, [p. 1].

[5]        Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Submission 9, [p. 2].

[6]        EDOs of Australia, Submission 18, p. 7.

[7]        Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, Submission 33, p. 5.

[8]        NSW Irrigators Council, Submission 48, [p. 5].

[9]        Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, pp. 43-44.

[10]      Mr Ken Matthews AO, Independent investigation into NSW water management and compliance, interim report, 8 September 2017, p. 44.

[11]      Water Act 2007, s. 86AA. The WESA was incorporated into the Water Act by the Water Amendment (Water for the Environment Special Account) Act 2013.

[12]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 47, p. 5.

[13]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 47, p. 5.

[14]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 47, p. 5.

[15]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 47, p. 5.

[16]      Mr Paul Morris, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, p. 75.

[17]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, 2016‑17 Annual Report, p. 151, http://www.agriculture.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/about/annualreport/2016-17/annual-report_16-17.pdf (accessed 19 January 2018); Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 47, p. 6. The delivery partner is the SA Murray‑Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board.

[18]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 47, p. 6.

[19]      Water Act 2007, s. 86AI(2).

[20]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources,  2017-18 Annual Report, p. 149.

[21]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, 2015‑16 Annual Report, p. 148.

[22]      NSW Government, Submission 13, p. 3.

[23]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, 2016‑17 Annual Report, p. 151.

[24]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, 2017-18 Annual Report, p. 148.

[25]      Water Act 2007, s. 86AJ(1).

[26]      Water Act 2007, s. 86AJ(5) and (6).

[27]      WWF-Australia, Submission 15, p. 4.

[28]      Professor Richard Kingsford, Submission 27, p. 5.

[29]      EDOs of Australia, Submission 18, p. 8.

[30]      Australian Floodplain Association, Submission 44, p. 13.

[31]      Inland Rivers Network, Submission 54, p. 8.

[32]      National Irrigators' Council, Submission 31, p. 19.

[33]      Environment Victoria, Submission 55, [p. 6].

[34]      NSW Irrigators Council, Submission 48, [pp. 5-6].

[35]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Commonwealth water purchasing in Murray‑Darling Basin, 19 April 2018, http://www.agriculture.gov.au/water/markets/ commonwealth-water-mdb (accessed 1 November 2018).

[36]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Commonwealth water purchasing in Murray‑Darling Basin, 19 April 2018.

[37]      Declan Gooch and Nikolai Beilharz, 'Cotton grower Tandou to sell water entitlements, convert NSW farm to lamb business', ABC News, 22 June 2017, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-21/cotton-grower-tandou-to-sell-water-entitlements-convert-farm/8639968 (accessed 22 January 2018).

[38]      Anne Davies, '$78m government spending on Darling water buyback nearly double its valuation', The Guardian, 26 October 2017, https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/26/78m-spent-on-darling-water-buyback-nearly-double-its-valuation (accessed 22 January 2018).

[39]      Anne Davies, '$78m government spending on Darling water buyback nearly double its valuation', The Guardian, 26 October 2017.

[40]      Mr Malcolm Thompson, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, p. 53; Mr Paul Morris, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, p. 54.

[41]      Mr Paul Morris, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, pp. 53, 55.

[42]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, answers to questions on notice, 27 October 2017 (received 20 December 2017).

[43]      Mr Paul Morris, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, p. 54.

[44]      Mr John Robertson, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, p. 54.

[45]      Mr Paul Morris, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, p. 53.

[46]      Mr David Papps, Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, pp. 52-53; Mr Paul Morris, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Estimates Hansard, 27 October 2017, p. 54.

[47]      Mr Stuart LeLievre, Australian Floodplain Association, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 24. See also Australian Floodplain Association, Submission 44, p. 16.

[48]      Mr Mark Zanker, Submission 5, [p. 2].

[49]      South Australian Murray Irrigators, Submission 35, [p. 2]. See also Murray Irrigation, Submission 41, pp. 11-12.

[50]      EDOs of Australia, Submission 18, p. 7.

[51]      Goulburn Valley Environment Group, Submission 21, [p. 2].

[52]      Australian Conservation Foundation, Submission 37, [p. 9].

[53]      Mr Rob Foster, Submission 3, p. 3.

[54]      National Irrigators' Council, Submission 31, p. 13.

[55]      Mungindi Water Users' and Cotton Growers Association, Submission 53, [p. 10].

[56]      Mr Drew Martin, Submission 49.

[57]      WWF‑Australia, Submission 15, p. 5. See also EDOs of Australia, Submission 18, p. 9.

[58]      Ms Sarah Moles, Submission 19, [p. 2].

[59]      Australian Conservation Foundation, Submission 37, [p. 8].

[60]      Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Submission 47, pp. 4-5.

Chapter 6 - Committee views and recommendations

[1]        Councillor Phillip O'Connor, Brewarrina Shire Council, Proof Committee Hansard, 28 August 2018, pp. 5-6.

[2]        Mr Bill Johnson, Private capacity, Committee Hansard, 1 November 2017, p. 39.

[3]        NSW Department of Industry, Securing our water: NSW Government water reform action plan, December 2017, p. 1,  https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/136204/ nsw-government-water-reform-action-plan.pdf (accessed 9 January 2018).

[4]        NSW Government, Consultation Paper: NSW water metering framework – Policy, regulations and mandatory conditions, August 2018, p. 9, https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/__data/ assets/pdf_file/0008/171656/NSW-water-metering-framework-consultation-paper.pdf (accessed 2 November 2018).

[5]        NSW Department of Industry, NSW water metering framework, https://www.industry.nsw. gov.au/water-reform/metering-framework (accessed 2 November 2018).

[6]        Murray‑Darling Basin Compliance Compact, 8 June 2018, pp. 3, 7; https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/pubs/Basin-Compliance-Compact_0.pdf (accessed 1 November 2018).

[7]        South Australian Murray Irrigators, Submission 35, [p. 2].

[8]        EDOs of Australia, Submission 18, p. 14.

[9]        NSW Department of Industry, Securing our water: NSW Government water reform action plan, December 2017, p. 5. 

[10]      Productivity Commission, Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Five-year assessment; Draft Report, Overview and Recommendations, August 2018, p. 9.

[11]      Productivity Commission, Murray-Darling Basin Plan: Five-year assessment; Draft Report, Overview and Recommendations, August 2018, p. 20.

[12]      Water Act 2007, s. 86AD(2)(vi).