A braided network of reviews and investigations into the Murray-Darling river basin
On 31 July, the Prime Minister requested the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) to consider conducting a nation-wide compliance review (https://www.mdba.gov.au/media/mr/basin-wide-compliance-review). This is a response to allegations of illegal diversion of water in New South Wales (NSW) and official impropriety. At the same time, there are at least five other reviews or possible investigations that have begun or are being considered which relate to management of the basin including the involvement of the Commonwealth Auditor-General and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). By Dr Drew Donnelly, Compliance Quarter In today’s article, we untangle these different reviews and potential investigations, describing their objectives and how they relate to each other. Background: The Basin Plan and the latest allegations The Murray-Darling basin is an agricultural area spanning NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and…