Release of the National Water Reform Assessment 2014

The National Water Commission’s final comprehensive review of the National Water Initiative (Triennial Assessment) will be launched in Canberra today. The Triennial National Water Reform Assessment provides an independent analysis of the progress of Australian governments in implementing national water reforms, particularly the National Water Initiative.  “Since the National Water Initiative was agreed to by…

Celebrating 70 years of the Murray-Darling Association

Senator Simon Birmingham today welcomed delegates to the Murray Darling Association’s 70th anniversary conference in Tumut. “The founding of the Murray Darling Association in 1944 established one of the most significant local government groups in the country,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment. “The Murray Darling Association has actively worked with the…

Renewed funding continues work on bores

Remote communities will benefit from the Australian Government’s announcement of $15.9 million to extend the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI) for a further three years. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the program provides funding support to repair uncontrolled bores that threaten the long-term viability of the…

Bush Blitz poised to discover new species on Queensland Bush Heritage property

The unknown microorganisms in our water table will be under the microscope this week, as the Bush Blitz team surveys Bush Heritage’s Carnarvon Station Reserve in central Queensland. “A dozen scientists from around the country have descended on Carnarvon, 200 kilometres south of Emerald. The reserve includes a river valley flanked by steep escarpments and…

More jobs is our pledge on subs

Today some Members of Parliament will sign a hollow union pledge promising to advocate for “all naval ships and submarines to be designed, built and maintained in Australia”. This pledge is meaningless because it ignores the involvement of international companies that has been essential for all of Australia's recent major shipbuilding projects. The Collins Class…

Productivity Commission to take on water reform

The Productivity Commission will take on the role of monitoring and auditing Australia’s progress in achieving water reform. “By allocating these roles to the Productivity Commission, industry and customers will benefit from the Commissions reputation for independence and expertise,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment. “The Government is confident that the Productivity…