4 Corners Review Fallout

Well the fallout from the 4 Corners report into alleged water theft and preferential information being given to a select few in New South Wales (NSW), has been swift and will be on-going. This information will be updated over the next couple of days.

• the NSW government has launched an independent investigation into the allegations, while the opposition party is planning on referring matters to Independent Commission Against Corruption ICAC  (here)

New stories from 26/07/17

• Water Minister Barnaby Joyce says the Commonwealth will not step into the allegations associated with water theft in NSW (here). While Minister Joyce correctly identifies that its a question of theft in NSW, he has failed to consider that the alleged actions were also a theft of the Commonwealth's Entitlement Water Office (CEWO) water assets. This makes it both a State and Federal matter.  Unless enforcement of rights occurs, rights have no value.  While Minister Joyce is in charge of the Agricultural portfolio, the CEWO is in the Environment Department. 

New Info 28/07/17

• The Commonwealth Auditor-General to expand an investigation into the Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resource (here) to determine how they monitor the implementation of the Plan (currently examining NSW but it may logically be extended. The decision may have been prompted by Barnaby Joyce's unfortunate comments at a public meeting (here)
• For those that need comic relief on this issue see First Dog on the Moon 

​New Info 31/07/17

• As expected all states are going to be reviewed for compliance (here) 

   
New Info 1/08/17

• Thanks be to David Rowe ​(https://twitter.com/roweafr?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor)

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New Info 2/08/17: Thanks be to David Pope