DUE to a bumper season, recent rainfall, and the global pandemic, the Murray-Darling Basin may not be at the forefront of people’s minds.
While this may be true for some, water is still the key concern for many farmers and growers in the Mallee electorate.
This week, the ACCC released its long-awaited interim report for its inquiry into Murray-Darling Basin water markets. This report makes significant initial observations and many with interests in water will feel validated by these findings.
In short, the report has found that while water trading has brought substantial benefits to water users across the basin, it has also had adverse consequences for some industries and regions.
This report is a big step in the right direction, and I’m glad that many of the concerns that have been raised with me have been confirmed in the inquiry.
The report identifies a lack of regulation, poor governance, differences in rules between basin states and communication failures. These factors favour well-resourced traders and limit the integrity of the markets.
Since the summer of 2019, when prices on the temporary water market were through the roof, I have met and heard from concerned growers, farmers, locals and organisations about water issues. On each occasion, I brought relevant feedback to the Minister for Water, now Keith Pitt.
The ACCC has considered a broad spectrum of views and has diligently consulted basin communities and relevant stakeholders. Farmers and locals from across the basin have voiced their concerns to the inquiry, including those in Mildura and Kerang, where public forums were held in November 2019.
The interim report stops short of providing full recommendations to government, but it does outline several options for market reform. The ACCC is now seeking further feedback on these options to inform their final report and recommendations.
Now is your chance to have your voice heard on water trading and markets. I would encourage all concerned to read the report and make a submission via the ACCC website by August 28.
I eagerly await the final report and a pathway to a more reliable and trusted water market.
Anne Webster is the Member for Mallee
