Dr Emma Carmody, Mr Mike Grundy, Dr Terry Hillman AM, Prof Lesley Hughes,

The proposed objectives and outcomes do however provide a useful basis for discussion on a way forward and we acknowledge the work of Commonwealth and State and Territory officials including the National Water Reform Committee and that of the Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Water Interests. [...] Recommendation 1 That a meeting of Commonwealth, state and territory water ministers be held as soon as possible to discuss and reach agreement on the terms of reference for a new national water reform ministerial council and on the scope, objectives, and timeframe for the development of a renewed NWI and the re-establishment, roles, and responsibilities of the NWC as the basis for progressing a r. [...] In the absence of the establishment of a national water ministerial council and its consideration of the proposed scope and financial implications of a renewed NWI Agreement, the proposals in the discussion paper, while a useful and worthy contribution by Commonwealth, State and Territory officials, lacks the political mandate for consultation for its development and implementation. [...] Recommendation 8 A renewed NWI should acknowledge and support the role and importance of integrated land and catchment management in protecting water sources and maintain water quality necessary to ensure safe, secure and reliable urban, regional, rural and remote water supply and ecologically and culturally sustainable water management in the longer term. [...] Objective 1 – Outcomes While the explanation of the objective highlights the combined implications of climate change and increased demand there is no separate mention in the outcomes to address the need for adaptation to climate change in water resource management at a national level, nor the need to ensure water planning decisions and rules effectively prioritise water for the hierarchy of needs.