NSW MPs must now declare water ownership

Gunbower Creek wetlands near Echuca in the Murray-Darling Basin.CREDIT:NICK MOIR.- NSW MPs will be forced to declare any water ownership or trading alongside their business or real estate interests as part of new laws proposed by the Berejiklian government. In a significant change likely to impact many country MPs, the Water Minister Melinda Pavey said the proposed laws would improve transparency in the pecuniary interests register of politicians. "The proposed legislation will require all members to record water ownership and share components as an asset, in the same way they must declare business or real estate interests, this includes a delivery right within an irrigation corporation." All MPs are required to annually update their register to disclose their real estate assets, sources of income and any shareholdings but are not required to disclose other assets, such as water licences. Ms Pavey said the legislation would require water trades to be declared within 14 days rather than the current six months, as well as any profits and the net impact of remaining water holdings….. https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/nsw/new-law-to-force-nsw-mps-to-declare-water-ownership-20200602-p54ytm.html