Summary
Gives effect to the intergovernmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin Reform between New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory by amending the Water Act 2007 to: transfer the powers and functions of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority; expand the Basin Plan to include arrangements for critical human water needs for communities dependent on the River Murray System; extend the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s role in relation to water market rules and water charge rules; provide for the appointment of the Chair to the Basin Officials Committee; effect a revised Agreement which establishes a Ministerial Council and Basin Officials Committee; and make transitional amendments. Also makes consequential and technical amendments to the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, Trade Practices Act 1974 and Water Act 2007 and repeals the Murray-Darling Basin Act 1993.