Register of foreign-owned water entitlements

Issues paper release and initial submissions The Commission released an issues paper to guide people in preparing a submission. It set out some of the issues and questions the Commission has identified as relevant at the early stage of the inquiry. Participants have provided evidence to support their views, including data and specific examples where possible. Initial submissions were due by 26 March 2021.

Draft report release The Commission requested further information and feedback following the release of a draft report on 17 August 2021. The draft report presented the Commission’s preliminary analysis and views on the rationales for the Register, its effectiveness, costs and benefits, and possible improvements, for both its current and future forms. Submissions were due by 10 September 2021.

Final report to Government and release The final inquiry report was handed to the Australian Government on 19 November 2021 and publicly released on 2 December 2021. This report sets out the Commission’s findings and recommendations on the effectiveness of the Register of Foreign-owned Water Entitlements. The key message of this report is that there is no compelling case for major changes to the Register. It plays a small, yet useful, role and apart from a few tweaks should continue for now, provided its costs remain low.