This evaluation provides a significant body of current evidence addressing the effectiveness of the Basin Plan’s implementation, the observed outcomes of activities and processes, and the Plan’s overall impact and contribution to observed changes.

Australia has either too much or too little water. This paper provides eight water priorities for the 48th parliament. It calls on the Australian federal government to finalise the National Water Agreement, to be bolder with water management and unify the states and local governments to sustain and manage Australia’s water into the future. 

The final inquiry report sets out the Productivity Commission’s findings and recommendations on the urgent need to renew the 2004 National Water Initiative, due to climate change and changing water demand. The report also sets out the Commission’s assessment of jurisdictions’ progress towards meeting the outcomes and objectives of the 2004 National Water Initiative.

This interim report finds that the 2004 National Water Initiative (NWI) has served Australia well, but there is an urgent need for renewal, due to climate change and changing water demand. The interim report also sets out the Commission’s preliminary assessment of jurisdiction’s progress towards meeting the outcome and objective of the 2004 NWI.

This inquiry report assessed the progress made toward implementing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan since 2018. Recommendations are made about the actions needed to achieve full implementation of the Basin Plan and to strengthen and simplify the framework.