❓ The question raises concerns about potential impacts of water resource legislation reform on landowners' rights, referencing the Aboriginal heritage legislation controversy. The Minister's answer outlines the history of water legislation reform attempts and commits to modernisation, considering climate change and traditional owner interests.
AnsweredQoN 571Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WATER RESOURCE
LEGISLATION — REFORM
571. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Minister for Water:
I refer to Western Australia Labor's
mishandling of the Aboriginal heritage legislation, seen widely as an attack on
property rights.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on WA Labor's proposed changes to law
surrounding water resource management, including the Rights in Water and
Irrigation Act 1914?
(2) Can the
minister unequivocally promise that WA Labor will refrain from compromising the
water rights and entitlements of Western Australian landowners and water
licence holders, or should the public brace themselves for another episode of
damaging attacks on their rights?
LEGISLATION — REFORM
571. Mr R.S. LOVE to the Minister for Water:
I refer to Western Australia Labor's
mishandling of the Aboriginal heritage legislation, seen widely as an attack on
property rights.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on WA Labor's proposed changes to law
surrounding water resource management, including the Rights in Water and
Irrigation Act 1914?
(2) Can the
minister unequivocally promise that WA Labor will refrain from compromising the
water rights and entitlements of Western Australian landowners and water
licence holders, or should the public brace themselves for another episode of
damaging attacks on their rights?
AnswerView source ↗
I am pleased to have a question on
this portfolio area, because I am not sure I have had one since I have been minister. It is probably coming up to nine months
or so. It is great to have a question from the other side on the matter of water. If the member is not aware, the responsible management of water is
actually a really important part of our state. It is something that this
government takes very seriously. It has been great having this portfolio. I have really been enjoying getting to know the
stakeholders and getting to understand the many complex issues concerning the portfolio.
(1)–(2) The
member is right. This government has committed to modernising the water
legislation. I think I previously outlined—it might have been during
budget estimates—how many previous ministers across numerous
governments have committed to consolidate and modernise our legislation. In
fact, it goes as far back as 2006 under the now deceased Hon John Kobelke, who
released a blueprint for water reform. In
2009, under the Barnett government, the Minister for Water, Graham Jacobs,
released a discussion paper about management options for water
resources. In 2013, the Minister for Water, Terry Redman, released a position
paper about water futures. In 2014, Hon Mia Davies released the analysis of
public submissions and statements in response to the position paper. It was a significant
moment. One of her responsibilities as the Minister for Water was to release
the analysis of public submissions on the position paper. Then, in 2021, we
moved to a Labor government. The Minister for Environment, Hon Stephen Dawson,
released climate policy and my predecessor Hon Dave Kelly then announced that
the drafting of the bill was taking place. Many previous ministers have
undertaken to consolidate what I think are six other existing acts, some of
them over a century old, to modernise our legislation. I have stated on the
record that that is something I am committed to doing as well.
We are working through a number of
policy positions on the modernisation and consolidation of the bill, not the
least of which is the primacy of the acknowledgement of the impact that climate
change has on our water resources. Also, as is befitting of the modernisation
of the legislation, is the consideration of traditional owners. There is an
understanding that water resources matter to them and that they have a stake in
the consideration of how water resources are allocated. That is no surprise. I am
on the record as saying that a number of times. That is probably the case for
my predecessor as well. If the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the
Nationals WA look surprised, I am concerned about that, because we have said in
this place a number of times that that was our intention with the water
legislation. However, a number of other
bills need to be consolidated and we are working through that process. I have
undertaken to a keep a number of stakeholders posted about the policy
issues and the timetable around that bill, and I am happy to repeat that now.
this portfolio area, because I am not sure I have had one since I have been minister. It is probably coming up to nine months
or so. It is great to have a question from the other side on the matter of water. If the member is not aware, the responsible management of water is
actually a really important part of our state. It is something that this
government takes very seriously. It has been great having this portfolio. I have really been enjoying getting to know the
stakeholders and getting to understand the many complex issues concerning the portfolio.
(1)–(2) The
member is right. This government has committed to modernising the water
legislation. I think I previously outlined—it might have been during
budget estimates—how many previous ministers across numerous
governments have committed to consolidate and modernise our legislation. In
fact, it goes as far back as 2006 under the now deceased Hon John Kobelke, who
released a blueprint for water reform. In
2009, under the Barnett government, the Minister for Water, Graham Jacobs,
released a discussion paper about management options for water
resources. In 2013, the Minister for Water, Terry Redman, released a position
paper about water futures. In 2014, Hon Mia Davies released the analysis of
public submissions and statements in response to the position paper. It was a significant
moment. One of her responsibilities as the Minister for Water was to release
the analysis of public submissions on the position paper. Then, in 2021, we
moved to a Labor government. The Minister for Environment, Hon Stephen Dawson,
released climate policy and my predecessor Hon Dave Kelly then announced that
the drafting of the bill was taking place. Many previous ministers have
undertaken to consolidate what I think are six other existing acts, some of
them over a century old, to modernise our legislation. I have stated on the
record that that is something I am committed to doing as well.
We are working through a number of
policy positions on the modernisation and consolidation of the bill, not the
least of which is the primacy of the acknowledgement of the impact that climate
change has on our water resources. Also, as is befitting of the modernisation
of the legislation, is the consideration of traditional owners. There is an
understanding that water resources matter to them and that they have a stake in
the consideration of how water resources are allocated. That is no surprise. I am
on the record as saying that a number of times. That is probably the case for
my predecessor as well. If the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the
Nationals WA look surprised, I am concerned about that, because we have said in
this place a number of times that that was our intention with the water
legislation. However, a number of other
bills need to be consolidated and we are working through that process. I have
undertaken to a keep a number of stakeholders posted about the policy
issues and the timetable around that bill, and I am happy to repeat that now.
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