The inspector-general of Water Compliance, the Hon Troy Grant, has made a submission to the 2026 statutory review of the Water Act 2007 (Cth) (the Water Act).

He welcomed this critical opportunity to modernise the legislative and governance framework underpinning management of the Murray-Darling Basin (the Basin). The submission focuses on how the institutions, laws and governance arrangements currently in place can be improved to ensure the future health of the Basin.

“This submission is informed by my practical experience of independent oversight,” wrote Mr Grant.

“Through inquiries, audits, compliance assessments, stocktakes and public reporting, my office has examined how the Basin system operates in practice. The lessons are clear.”

The submission takes the position that modernising the Water Act requires prioritising a strong and effective inspector-general equipped with appropriate tools to provide independent assurance, clearer governance and accountability arrangements across Basin institutions, and more effective rules that drive implementation and outcomes.

In 2017, significant governance and accountability failures in water management were put under the spotlight against the backdrop of crippling drought. These conditions led to the establishment of the inspector-general: a critical component of Basin governance, providing independent oversight, assurance, compliance and enforcement across commonwealth and Basin State activities.

Mr Grant believes that the Water Act Review should explore how the role of the inspector-general can be strengthened to help identify risks arising from ineffective governance and accountability arrangements.

“Independent assurance is not an optional extra. It is a core element of effective governance. The role of the inspector-general exists to provide that confidence to the Australian public.”

Reforming governance and assigning clear accountability remain the most persistent challenge identified in this submission. Numerous government and independent reviews, and the inspector-general’s own work, have consistently found that fragmented governance, blurred accountability, and weak goal alignment all have a negative impact on water management in the Basin.

The final priority highlighted in the submission concerns establishing clear, measurable and enforceable obligations for Basin activities. Well-designed rules are an essential component of an effective statutory system that create certainty of performance expectation for all stakeholders.

Mr Grant stressed that these priorities were interdependent and should not be viewed in isolation.

“The inspector-general’s body of work has made it clear that there are issues upstream of compliance and enforcement, it is important governments get the policy, administrative arrangements and licensing right.

“The future of Basin Plan implementation depends on a simple combination: better regulatory design, clearer institutional accountability and strong independent oversight.”