Senate committee visits Griffith as it examines way to simplify Murray Darling Basin Plan

The Select Committee on the Multi-Jurisdictional Management and Execution of the Murray Darling Basin Plan's focus is on the responsibilities of federal and state governments for the plan as well as the effects of different approaches to water management.

The meeting at Quest Griffith last week heard from representative groups including the NSW and Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Ricegrowers Association, the Murray Regional Strategy Group, De Bortoli Wines and Griffith Business Chamber.

Deniliquin-based Senator Perin Davey is a member of the committee which includes Liberal Party, Labor, Centre Alliance and Greens members.

The committee includes Western Australia's Slade Brockman, South Australia's Rex Patrick, Alex Gallagher, Sarah Hanson-Young, Labor's Deborah O'Neill and Ms Davey.

Ms Davey said the committee's job was to decipher and work through the layers of how water policy is applied.

"We're trying to get people to look at how we can simplify the process and the agencies, and what are the key areas of over-complexity and potential duplication," she said.

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Water trading market transparency was one the key issues raised, however Ms Davey said the committee were conscious the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission had their own inquiry going.

"There were people who got involved in water market issues, which we are interested in, and we're aware the ACCC has their review and we don't want to duplicate that effort," Ms Davey said.

As well as hearing evidence they were taken on a tour by Murrumbidgee Irrigation of infrastructure used to deliver water for agriculture and environment.

"It's really good for the committee, good to see it and then hear from witnesses about the cumulative impacts of water reform over time," Ms Davey said.

While already familiar with how the Basin Plan is impacting farmers, Ms Davey said it was important for the committee to listen and give people the chance to talk about the challenges of complying with the plan and dealing with agencies.

Ms Davey said further hearings were being considered for NSW, Victoria and South Australia, and submissions can still be presented until March 2020.

A final report is due in November 2020.

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