THE first joint meeting between the Commonwealth and State and Federal Water and Agriculture Ministers, since the Turnbull ministry was appointed will be held tomorrow in Brisbane.
It will be chaired by federal Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Barnaby Joyce who gained water policy when the new Turnbull ministry was appointed mid-September.
Water policy was shifted out of the environment portfolio and into agriculture as part of the new Coalition agreement struck between the Nationals and Liberals following Tony Abbott’s removal as Prime Minister.
Mr Joyce will update State ministers on the new federal portfolio responsibilities and changes to administrative arrangements which now include responsibility for implementing the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
The forum is also likely to thrash out potential changes to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) that aim to improve the flexibility of rules around trading excess environmental water to farmers.
Mr Joyce is currently considering the government’s response to an independent review of the Water Act which underpins the Basin Plan.
The review was tabled in December last year making 23 recommendations after being undertaken by a four-member expert panel which included National Irrigators' Council chair Gavin McMahon.
The final report recommended providing the CEWH with greater flexibility in using the proceeds of water trade to deliver environmental outcomes.
The report said while significant progress has been made since the Basin Plan commenced, more remains to be done to successfully deliver the Plan in full by July 1, 2019 and ensure its “objectives and outcomes will be realised”.
“This involves a substantial implementation program as well as a sustained commitment from governments and their agencies, industries and communities to work together in partnership, respecting each others’ roles, responsibilities and expertise,” the report said.
But the Australian Conservation Foundation said the review panel’s recommendations to sell environmental water - in order to pay for essential environmental works - should be rejected.
In the ministerial reshuffle, South Australian Liberal Senator Anne Ruston was appointed Mr Joyce’s Assistant Minister but he will have ultimate cabinet responsibility for water policy.
However, Senator Ruston will hold responsibilities for horticulture and wine and fisheries and forestry.
SA Liberal Jamie Briggs – who sits under Environment Minister Greg Hunt – holds oversight of the CEWH with Environment retaining that specific section of the Water Act.
Former Parliamentary Secretary to the Environment Minister Simon Birmingham promised the government’s response to the Water Act review would be made in the new year.
Update on White Papers
Mr Joyce will also update the Brisbane meeting on progress of the government’s White Papers specific to his ministerial responsibilities, including Agricultural Competiveness and Northern Development.
In March 2014, Mr Joyce was appointed chair of the government’s Water Infrastructure Ministerial Working Group which developed an options paper that identified 31 strategic water infrastructure projects for future development.
Heading into the next federal election, he is now striving to push outcomes associated with the $500 million National Water Infrastructure Development Fund announced in the Agricultural White Paper that was unveiled in July.
The Fund has committed $50m to support the detailed planning needed to inform water infrastructure investment decisions and $450m to part-fund the capital for priority projects.
The Northern White Paper was announced mid-year and also delivered funding for water-related policy measures including up to $15m for water resource assessments in the Mitchell River in Queensland and Fitzroy River in WA.
The ministerial gathering’s agenda in Brisbane will also include an update on plans to reform Country of Origin Labelling laws, how specific commonwealth programs are being handled like drought loans, the national fruit fly action plan and an overview of the national biosecurity system.
Talks will also focus on plans to provide clearer “free range” egg labelling standards and definitions to benefit producers with clearer labelling.
In October, Consumer Affairs Australia New Zealand released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement on free range egg labelling, aimed at advancing a national standard by the year’s end, which involves consultation and collaboration with agricultural ministers.
Farm groups have warned moves to try and push for external stocking densities of 1500 hens per hectare - which equates to one bird per 6.66 square metres - represents a gross misrepresentation of approved regulatory standards and is out of step with consumer expectations.
The consultation paper outlines three broad policy options including retaining the status quo; an information standard for free range eggs; and an information standard for all eggs.
The closing date for submissions is Friday, November 27, and a cost benefit analysis is expected to be prepared for when the Consumer Affairs forum meets in February 2016
