The Northern Basin Commissioner’s First Year Report has been tabled in Parliament.
Minister for Water Resources David Littleproud said the establishment of the Northern Basin Commissioner was a bipartisan initiative to secure support for critical Basin Plan amendments.
“We appreciate the hard work from Commissioner Mr Mick Keelty AO APM during the past 12 months in the Northern Basin,” Minister Littleproud said.
“This report reflects what he has seen and heard in Basin communities.
“It gives us a fresh, independent perspective on Northern Basin issues.
“We shouldn’t be afraid of new ideas, the old ways may not serve us well into the future.
“The report has strong messages for federal and state water managers across the Basin on how we can better serve the people who live there.
“No one should be immune from taking an uppercut.
“I will take the report to Ministerial Council on 17 December 2019 so we can discuss the recommendations.
“No one should fear shining a light on what we do and how we do it.
“As part of the Ministerial Council, I’ll also ask Basin governments to co-operate and give the Interim Inspector-General the authority he needs to deliver his investigation announced this week into concerns around water sharing and water allocation arrangements.
“This will let him thoroughly investigate all concerns and report back by 31 March 2020.
“This investigation is not about more water – it’s about identifying any problems and providing the evidence we need to manage these water resources more effectively.
“I look forward to working with Mr Keelty on improving transparency, accountability, compliance and community confidence across the Basin.”
The Report will be available from
Background
- Mr Mick Keelty AO APM was appointed Interim Inspector-General of Murray-Darling Basin Water Resources on 1 October 2019.
- This will be the first and final Northern Basin Commissioner Report. Future reports will be provided and tabled by the Inspector General of Murray Darling Basin Water Resources.
