❓ The Premier outlines WA's refusal to sign the National Water Initiative, citing the need for a state-specific approach and a bilateral agreement with the Commonwealth that acknowledges WA's unique water challenges and existing reforms.
AnsweredQoN 377Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Premier’s previous statement that the National Water Initiative only benefits the Eastern States and is not suitable for Western Australia, and ask, will the Premier advise the specific reasons for his refusal to sign the National Water Initiative?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 September 2005
Response time
28 days
We wish to develop our own water initiative that is designed to meet our needs and is not encumbered by the bureaucracy and priorities of the Commonwealth scheme. On 1 September I tabled the report of the Irrigation Review Steering Committee. The Irrigation Report proposes reform and modernisation of the use, conservation and management of water at a time when our water resources are under increasing pressure due to the drying climate. I would also like to point out this report and the Government's response to the proposed areas of water reform are consistent with the water outcomes identified in the National Water Initiative and our approach will deliver the most appropriate results for Western Australia. We have sought a bilateral agreement with the Federal Government that acknowledges our specific needs and circumstances. The Commonwealth needs to acknowledge that Western Australia has water based problems which are peculiar to this State and assist us in addressing them. It also needs to acknowledge the reforms already achieved and the leadership we have shown in water policy.
On 1 September I tabled the report of the Irrigation Review Steering Committee. The Irrigation Report proposes reform and modernisation of the use, conservation and management of water at a time when our water resources are under increasing pressure due to the drying climate. I would also like to point out this report and the Government's response to the proposed areas of water reform are consistent with the water outcomes identified in the National Water Initiative and our approach will deliver the most appropriate results for Western Australia. We have sought a bilateral agreement with the Federal Government that acknowledges our specific needs and circumstances. The Commonwealth needs to acknowledge that Western Australia has water based problems which are peculiar to this State and assist us in addressing them. It also needs to acknowledge the reforms already achieved and the leadership we have shown in water policy.
I would also like to point out this report and the Government's response to the proposed areas of water reform are consistent with the water outcomes identified in the National Water Initiative and our approach will deliver the most appropriate results for Western Australia. We have sought a bilateral agreement with the Federal Government that acknowledges our specific needs and circumstances. The Commonwealth needs to acknowledge that Western Australia has water based problems which are peculiar to this State and assist us in addressing them. It also needs to acknowledge the reforms already achieved and the leadership we have shown in water policy.
The Commonwealth needs to acknowledge that Western Australia has water based problems which are peculiar to this State and assist us in addressing them. It also needs to acknowledge the reforms already achieved and the leadership we have shown in water policy.
On 1 September I tabled the report of the Irrigation Review Steering Committee. The Irrigation Report proposes reform and modernisation of the use, conservation and management of water at a time when our water resources are under increasing pressure due to the drying climate. I would also like to point out this report and the Government's response to the proposed areas of water reform are consistent with the water outcomes identified in the National Water Initiative and our approach will deliver the most appropriate results for Western Australia. We have sought a bilateral agreement with the Federal Government that acknowledges our specific needs and circumstances. The Commonwealth needs to acknowledge that Western Australia has water based problems which are peculiar to this State and assist us in addressing them. It also needs to acknowledge the reforms already achieved and the leadership we have shown in water policy.
I would also like to point out this report and the Government's response to the proposed areas of water reform are consistent with the water outcomes identified in the National Water Initiative and our approach will deliver the most appropriate results for Western Australia. We have sought a bilateral agreement with the Federal Government that acknowledges our specific needs and circumstances. The Commonwealth needs to acknowledge that Western Australia has water based problems which are peculiar to this State and assist us in addressing them. It also needs to acknowledge the reforms already achieved and the leadership we have shown in water policy.
The Commonwealth needs to acknowledge that Western Australia has water based problems which are peculiar to this State and assist us in addressing them. It also needs to acknowledge the reforms already achieved and the leadership we have shown in water policy.
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