The allegations of water theft and maladministration that are the subject of this investigation were raised on the ABC TV ‘Four Corners’ program “Pumped: Who is benefitting from the billions spent on the Murray-Darling?’’

The CEWH has released this discussion paper and is seeking feedback on what type of environmental activities the community would like to be considered when developing a framework for future investments.

China faces a multitude of issues related to air, water and soil pollution. These issues will impinge on its ability to continue to expand its agricultural sector.

India is the largest consumer of groundwater in the world and, because its rate of extraction has remained high, groundwater replenishment has been unable to sustain water levels in many of the country’s aquifers.

The report is in two sections. The first is a summary report written from my Office with the assistance of the Departmental Science Advisors from the Department of Conservation and the Ministry for the Environment. This overview avoids technical detail but tries to explain the core issues of public concern that have implications for policy...