WATER
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT — LEGISLATION
1192. Hon TJORN SIBMA to the minister representing the
Minister for Water:
This is a question from yesterday,
14 December. I note that the government's November 2020 Western Australian
climate policy refers to the introduction of ''an improved
legislative framework to address the challenge of climate change and provide
certainty for water users.''
(1) Will the
government introduce a bill to change the present Rights in Water and
Irrigation Act 1914 within this parliamentary term?
(2) What is the scope of the bill
and what certainty does the government wish to provide?
(3) Does the government intend to
consult with all water users prior to introducing the bill?
(4) If yes to (3), how and when
will this consultation occur?
Hon
ALANNAH MacTIERNAN replied:
I thank the member for the
question. The Minister for Water has provided the following information.
(1)–(4) Work is underway to draft a bill to modernise Western
Australia's water resource management legislation. The bill will
replace six outdated acts, including the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act
1914. Consultation on water legislation
reform has occurred for over 15 years and the Department of Water and
Environmental Regulation will
continue to liaise with the water resources reform reference group that
includes representation from key industries, community and agricultural
stakeholders.