Submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry into the - National Water Reform 2020

ATSE supports the draft recommendation for the establishment of the Committee on Aboriginal Water Interests to develop a new element of the NWI dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ access to water and involvement in water management, which is a very positive development. [...] ATSE welcomes the draft recommendation that water planning arrangements recognise the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and meets environmental and social objectives, and that all water sources (including alternative water sources such as stormwater and recycled water) be considered in planning arrangements. [...] The coincident timing of the Productivity Commission’s review of water policy and the challenging conclusions by both the Australian National Audit Office and the review of the administration of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 provide a rare opportunity to further consider policy reform in a non-stationary environment. [...] Water research and development The draft report recognises the importance of knowledge generation and knowledge sharing in water, and acknowledges that research and development funding has been in decline. [...] • The Australian and state governments to commit to a national water initiative and legislated structures and processes for the effective implementation of the NWI.