National Water Initiative

Australia’s national water policy has reached its use-by date and will fail to overcome the looming challenges of increased population and community demands, and the effects of climate change.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and water minister Keith Pitt on Friday said an inquiry would look into whether governments have been successful in achieving the objectives, outcomes and timelines of reform ideas proposed under the National Water Initiative.

The Department of Agriculture’s responsibilities for water policy and resources will be taken over by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development from December 1.