The EDO welcomes the opportunity to assist the Committee with its inquiry into the Water Compliance (Inspector-General and Other Measures) Act 2021 (Cth) (IG Act). The EDO has extensive experience advising a broad range of clients across the Murray-Darling Basin about all aspects of water law and policy, including compliance and enforcement.
While we are broadly supportive of the IG Act, we have identified opportunities for reform that clearly align the IG’s functions with the international environmental treaties that underpin the Water Act 2007 (Cth), enhance the independence and efficacy of the Inspector-General of Water Compliance, and improve the public’s confidence in this newly created office.
