National Water Commission


The National Water Commission was an independent statutory authority in Australia established by the National Water Commission Act 2004 to implement the National Water Initiative and reform the broader national water agenda. The agency was abolished by the Abbott Government in 2014.
The Commission reported to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities portfolio, and provided independent, evidence-based advice to the Council of Australian Governments and the Australian Government on national water issues.
The Act was amended in June 2012 following an independent COAG Review of the Commission. Under the amended Act, the Commission had three core ongoing functions: monitoring, audit, and assessment. It was also empowered to undertake broader activities that promoted national water reform objectives.
The Commission had additional functions under other Commonwealth acts and regulations:
The key function of the Commission was to advise the Prime Minister on expenditure of the Australian Government Water Fund between 2004 and 2010. This included three programs: Water Smart Australia; Raising National Water Standards Program and Australian Water Fund Communities. The Commission managed more than 170 projects under the Raising National Water Standards Program. The Raising National Water Standards Program facilitated investment in Australia's ability to measure, monitor and manage its water resources.
The Commission also had an assessment role for National Partnership Payments. This task was undertaken under delegation from the COAG Reform Council. Under the Water Act 2007, the Commission had a new, ongoing function to audit the effectiveness of implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and associated water resource plans.
The National Water Commission published a report on the future need for desalination technologies to play a role in securing Australia’s water supplies.
The Commission published of progress in implementation of the National Water Initiative. The 2011 assessment made 12 major recommendations to COAG to reinvigorate the water reform agenda and fully deliver its economic, environmental and social benefits.

Commission abolished

The Commission was abolished by the National Water Commission Act 2015 in October 2014. The reason for disbanding the Commission was:
The key functions of the Commission were transferred to other existing Commonwealth agencies, such as the Productivity Commission and the Department of Environment.