MLDRIN welcomes the draft report on water reform released by the @ozprodcom today. We support the finding that stronger recognition and responsiveness to First Nations’ rights and interests are needed in existing frameworks as well as the new NWI. 1/6

We affirm the proposal for co-designing the First Nations content of a renewed NWI with First Nations people who report directly to the Water Ministers overseeing the NWI’s development. This process will be crucial for elevating and reflecting TOs water aspirations in the NWI. 2/

MLDRIN is encouraged by the PC’s stance on some matters. It shows the impact of the contributions of First Nations organisations into the inquiry process, as well as their tiresome work and commitment to seeking water justice more broadly over many, many years.

However, some recommendations miss the mark. For example, reallocating water to First Nations is crucial to Indigenous water justice. However, governments shouldn’t be determining the reasons for returning water, nor how returned waters can or can’t be used by First Nations.

This is inconsistent with First Nations’ inherent rights to access, use and manage water in a self-determining way. Aspirations such as sustaining Country, people, community, and cultures do not neatly fit into any narrow water use category like ‘economic development’.

First Nations and MLDRIN have made this position very clear for many years, including through the PC’s inquiry. MLDRIN will continue to advocate for transformative and greater structural reforms that uphold First Nations' rights and interests, and redress water dispossession.