The Australian National Audit Office is investigating so-called strategic water purchases in the Murray Darling Basin. These purchases were counter to government policy on reducing consumptive use, have not brought balance to the Commonwealth’s water portfolio, were not value for money and did not meet guidelines on transparency, accountability and ethical procurement.

The Australia Institute welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the procurement of strategic water entitlements. This submission relates to four “strategic” purchases of water by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources in 2017, in the Murrumbidgee, Warrego, Condamine-Balonne and Lower Darling/Barka.