The Turnbull Government has announced a Productivity Commission inquiry into the reform of Australia’s water resources sector.
Reform of the water sector has been ongoing over several decades, reflecting the fundamental importance of water to our economy and the significant challenges involved in managing a shared natural resource often impacted by periods of scarcity.
The Inquiry will also fulfil the statutory requirement for the first of the Productivity Commission’s triennial assessments of progress towards achieving the objectives and outcomes of the National Water Initiative required by the Water Act 2007.
The Productivity Commission is due to report to Government by 31 December 2017.
In December 2016 the Government announced the appointments of Professor Jane Doolan as part-time Commissioner (Environment) and Mr John Madden as full-time Associate Commissioner (Water) to the Productivity Commission.
Professor Doolan has extensive senior leadership experience working in sustainable water resource and environmental management, providing policy advice to both state and Commonwealth governments, on issues such as water allocation, river health and catchment management, urban and rural water supply and security, national water reform and water sector governance.
Mr Madden has extensive experience in legislative, regulatory and administrative arrangements for water planning and management, and community consultation and engagement.
Public consultation will be undertaken as part of the study and the Government encourages all interested parties to participate. Further information and the terms of reference are available on the Commission's website.