24th Jul 2019, 12:41 PM – Senate Future Drought Fund Bill 2019 and another - in Committee - Consistency

The majority voted against an amendment introduced by Victorian Senator Janet Rice, which means it failed.

Senator Rice explained that:

This amendment to the Future Drought Fund Bill requires the drought plan to be consistent with the Water Act and, particularly, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. I note that in the bill there is a requirement for the drought plan to be consistent with Regional Investment Corporation activities. I think it is highly appropriate—in fact, much more important—that any projects funded under this fund and the plan that will come out of this legislation are consistent with the Water Act and, particularly, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority plan.

Motion text

(1) Page 22 (after line 29), after clause 25, insert:

25A Consistency with the Water Act 2007

(1) Before making an arrangement or a grant under section 21 that affects Basin water resources (within the meaning of the Water Act 2007), the Drought Minister must request the Murray-Darling Basin Authority provide written advice as to whether the arrangement or grant is consistent with the objects of the Water Act 2007.

(2) The Authority must provide the written advice requested by the Drought Minister as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the request.

(3) The Drought Minister may make the arrangement or grant if the Authority advises the arrangement or grant is consistent with the objects of the Water Act 2007.

(4) The Drought Minister must cause the publication of the Authority's advice on the Agriculture Department's website as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the advice.