Australian water decision making: are politicians performing?

ABSTRACT

Australia has husbanded its water resources to deliver laudable environmental and economic outcomes. But a close examination reveals some areas where decisions have resulted in poor outcomes and unsatisfactory use of public funds. This article examines some of these decisions through four case studies in which I suggest that current water infrastructure governance arrangements should be improved, through compelling politicians to place a greater focus on delivering value for money from infrastructure investments. Delivering higher-quality water services to remote indigenous communities should also be accorded a much higher priority.

KEYWORDS:

• Australia
• water infrastructure
• water governance
• political decision making
• indigenous disadvantage

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.