This interim report assesses and makes findings about the progress made toward implementing the Murray–Darling Basin Plan since 2018. It makes a number of interim recommendations about the actions needed to achieve full implementation of the Basin Plan and to strengthen and simplify the framework.

An independent panel undertook a review of the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. The purpose of the review was to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms remain appropriate for securing those objectives.

This report finds that despite promises of significant water savings, the decision-making process for the Menindee Lakes project was poor practice and a poor example of effective governance. This profoundly affected the legitimacy and implementation of the project, particularly in relation to the local community and ecological condition of Menindee Lakes and the Barka/Darling River.

This research report shows that the Murray-Darling Basin's new Inspector General, former AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty, has ignored key issues in his first annual report on the Northern Basin.

The Australian National Audit Office is investigating so-called strategic water purchases in the Murray Darling Basin. The Australia Institute has prepared this submission on the procurement of strategic water entitlements. This submission relates to four “strategic” purchases of water in the Murrumbidgee, Warrego, Condamine-Balonne and Lower Darling/Barka.