engagement in Basin issues has also undergone significant changes. The 2000 SMP was signed by relevant state and Australian Government ministers, and in 2000 Ministerial engagement and oversight came under the auspices of the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council and this function was then undertaken from 2011 by the Standing Council on Environment. However, since the 2013 streamlining of the Ministerial Council COAG’s system there has been no coordinated Ministerial Forum through which Basin water management issues are considered. The responsibilities of the community members of the GABCC has always included providing advice to the relevant Australian and state government ministers and senior agency staff, and to represent the interests of their community groups. The changing governance environment necessitates a consideration of an effective governance arrangement to ensure the active engagement and involvement of community, industry and government to manage Basin water resources. Table 4. Comparison of institutional and governance arrangements across Basins Institutional and Basin Governance Arrangements Element Murray-Darling Basin Lake Eyre Basin Great Artesian Basin Coordinating Legislation: Water Act Intergovernmental No specific legislation Instrument 2007, Water agreement: Lake or intergovernmental Regulations 2008, Eyre Basin agreements. Basin Plan 2012. Intergovernmental Agreement 2000 Great Artesian Basin (recognised in Intergovernmental Strategic legislation by the agreements: Management Plan Australian Basin endorsed by Government in the Agreement 2008, Australian Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Government, state Intergovernmental agreement on and territory Agreement Act 2001). implementing water governments. reform in the Basin 2013. Ministerial Dedicated Ministerial Dedicated Ministerial No dedicated Engagement Council for Forum for Lake Eyre Ministerial Forum. Basin issues: Basin issues: Lake Prior to 2013 Murray-Darling Basin Eyre Basin Ministerial considered as part of Ministerial Council Forum (established successive Ministerial (recognised under the through Committees under Water Act 2007). Intergovernmental the COAG framework Agreement). with mandate for natural resource, environment and water issues.
engagement in Basin issues has also undergone significant changes. The 2000 SMP was signed by relevant state and Australian Government ministers, and in 2000 Ministerial engagement and oversight came under the auspices of the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council and this function was then undertaken from 2011 by the Standing Council on Environment. However, since the 2013 streamlining of the COAG’s Ministerial Council system there has been no coordinated Ministerial Forum through which Basin water management issues are considered. The responsibilities of the community members of the GABCC has always included providing advice to the relevant Australian and state government ministers and senior agency staff, and to represent the interests of their community groups. The changing governance environment necessitates a consideration of an effective governance arrangement to ensure the active engagement and involvement of community, industry and government to manage Basin water resources. Table 4. Comparison of institutional and governance arrangements across Basins Institutional and Governance Arrangements Basin Element Murray-Darling Basin Lake Eyre Basin Great Artesian Basin Coordinating Instrument Legislation: Water Act 2007, Water Regulations 2008, Basin Plan 2012. Intergovernmental agreements: Basin Agreement 2008, Intergovernmental agreement on implementing water reform in the Basin 2013. Intergovernmental agreement: Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement 2000 (recognised in legislation by the Australian Government in the Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement Act 2001). No specific legislation or intergovernmental agreements. Great Artesian Basin Strategic Management Plan endorsed by Australian Government, state and territory governments. Ministerial Engagement Dedicated Ministerial Council for Basin issues: Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council (recognised under the Water Act 2007). Dedicated Ministerial Forum for Lake Eyre Basin issues: Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum (established through Intergovernmental Agreement). No dedicated Ministerial Forum. Prior to 2013 considered as part of successive Ministerial Committees under the COAG framework with mandate for natural resource, environment and water issues.
gab-future-directions.docx