Water Legislation Amendment (Inspector-General of Water Compliance and Other Measures) Bill 2021

The majority voted against amendments introduced by Queensland Senator Matthew Canavan (LNP), which means they failed.

Interestingly, these amendments were inconsistent with the Cabinet's views, meaning that the Nationals were breaking with the rest of the Coalition in introducing them.

Amendment text

(1) Schedule 1, page 4 (after line 9), after item 1, insert:

1A Subsection 19(5)

Omit "at least every 10 years (or sooner if the Minister or all the Basin States request)", substitute "during 2026 and at such other times as agreed by the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council".

1B Subsections 50(1) to (4)

Repeal the subsections, substitute:

(1) The Authority must:

(a) review the Basin Plan during 2026, unless the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council agrees otherwise; and

(b) review the Basin Plan at such other times as agreed by the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council.

1C Paragraph 50(5)(a)

Omit "or (2)".

1D Subsection 50(6)

Omit "subsection (1)", substitute "paragraph (1)(a)".

1E Section 52

Before "If", insert "(1)".

1F Section 52

After "section 45", insert "but subject to subsection (2) of this section".

1G At the end of section 52

Add:

(2) However:

(a) the Authority must not prepare an amendment of the Basin Plan as mentioned in this section unless the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council agrees; and

(b) an amendment of the Basin Plan prepared as mentioned in this section must not provide for a reduction in the long term average sustainable diversion limit.

(2) Schedule 1, Part 1, page 15 (after line 29), at the end of the Part, add:

2A Division 5 of Part 2 (heading)

Omit "1,500 gigalitre", substitute "1,229 gigalitre".

2B Section 85B

Omit "1,500 gigalitre", substitute "1,229 gigalitre".

2C Section 85C (heading)

Omit "1,500 gigalitre", substitute "1,229 gigalitre".

2D Subsection 85C(1)

Omit "1,500 gigalitres", substitute "1,229 gigalitres".

2E Subsection 85C(2)

Repeal the subsection.

(3) Schedule 1, Part 1, page 15, at the end of the Part (after proposed item 2E), add:

2F Subsection 86AA(1)

Omit "(1)".

2G Subsections 86AA(2) and (3)

Repeal the subsections.

2H At the end of paragraph 86AD(2)(a)

Add:

(vii) investing in complementary measures to enhance environmental outcomes in relation to the Murray Darling Basin;

2J Paragraph 86AD(2)(b)

Repeal the paragraph.

2K Subparagraph 86AD(2)(c)(ii)

Omit "associated with a project or purchase referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) or subparagraph (c)(i)", substitute "associated with a project referred to in paragraph (a) or subparagraph (c)(i), or any previous purchase of water access rights paid for with amounts debited from the Water for the Environment Special Account,".

2L Subsection 86AD(2) (notes 1 and 2)

Repeal the notes.

2M Subsection 86AD(4)

Repeal the subsection.

2N Paragraph 86AI(2)(b)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

(b) achievements against those objectives and priorities;

2P Subsection 86AJ(1)

Omit all the words after "is sufficient to", substitute "achieve the object of this Part by 30 June 2024".

2Q Paragraph 86AJ(3)(b)

Repeal the paragraph.