(1)The provisions of the Water Act 2007 (the Act), with particular reference to the
direction it provides for the development of a Basin Plan, including:
(a) any ambiguities or constraints in the Act which would prevent a Basin
Plan from being developed on an equally weighted consideration of
economic, social and environmental factors;
(b) the differences in legal interpretations of the Act;
(c) the constitutional power of the Commonwealth to legislate in the area of
water;
(d) the role of relevant international agreements and the effect of those on
the parts of the Act which direct the Basin Plan to give effect to those
agreements and their effect on the Act more generally;
(e) any amendments that would be required to ensure that economic, social
and environmental factors are given equally weighted consideration in
developing the Basin Plan; and
(f) any other related matter.
(2) That in conducting its inquiry, the committee should consult those with
particular legal expertise in the area of water.
For further information, contact: Committee Secretary
Senate Legal and Constitutional Committees
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia