Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I move amendment (1) on sheet 5649:

(1)    Page 2 (after line 11), after clause 3, insert:

4  Review of operation of Water Act 2007 as amended by this Act

        (1)    The Productivity Commission must, by 30 June 2010, and each 30 June thereafter, prepare a report on the operation of the Water Act 2007 as amended by this Act and provide it to the Minister.

        (2)    In preparing a report required under subsection (1), the Productivity Commission must consider but is not limited to the following matters:

             (a)    the environmental impact on inflows;

             (b)    the economic sustainability of Basin water resources;

             (c)    the environmental sustainability of Basin water resources;

             (d)    the relative efficiency of water trading rules;

             (e)    the effectiveness of the Authority in carrying out its functions;

              (f)    the adequacy of the powers of the Authority;

             (g)    alternative models buying back tradeable water rights;

             (h)    the effectiveness of infrastructure projects and other water-saving measures funded (in whole or in part) by the Commonwealth;

              (i)    any other matter relevant to the objects of the Water Act 2007.

        (3)    The Minister must ensure that the Productivity Commission has sufficient resources to prepare a report required under subsection (1).

        (4)    The Minister must cause a copy of a report prepared under subsection (1) to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 5 sitting days of that House after receiving the report.

This amendment relates to a review of the operation of the Water Act by the Productivity Commission, which must be done by 30 June 2010 and yearly thereafter. It sets out a number of the matters that the commission should consider. I urge honourable senators to support this amendment on the basis that it provides an overview of the operation of the act. Given that a key aspect of the legislation relates to water efficiency and water savings, the Productivity Commission is an independent body that can check the extent of efficiencies made, the effectiveness of infrastructure projects and other water-saving measures funded in whole or in part by the Commonwealth. Given the importance of the issue of water, I think it is important that there be that overview by the Productivity Commission.