The Water Management Amendment (Water Access License Register Reform) Bill 2024 was a Private Members Bill put forward by Member for Murray Helen Dalton and ultimately supported by the Minns Government.
“The water register that this Bill creates will mean that we will now finally know who is buying and selling water in New South Wales,” Ms Dalton said.
“For too long, it’s been too easy for criminals to launder the proceeds of crime by buying and selling water that should be used for farming.
“And at the same time we have had anonymous foreign buyers purchasing New South Wales water for reasons they are not required to explain.
“Thanks to this Bill, all that will end.”
Ms Dalton thanked Water Minister Rose Jackson for helping turn this Private Members Bill into law.
“Rose listened, and she understood what was at stake,” Ms Dalton said.
“I believe she played a critical role in helping the Premier and his government understand how much our state needed this water register.
“I note in her speech Rose called me ‘tenacious’ and ‘determined’. I think that may be a polite way of saying I can be a pain in the you know what when I’m fighting for things I think are important.
“Rose may have a point. But ultimately I will always do whatever it takes to get proper water reform for our state.”
Ms Dalton thanked the people of rural NSW for supporting her push for the water register.
“This has been a group effort,” she said.
“So I want to thank everyone who helped me to get this important reform across the line.
“This common-sense new law will help bring much more fairness to our water markets.”
17°C