Prominent NSW barrister to lead SA’s Murray Darling Royal Commission

REVEALED: The man who will lead the SA Murray Darling Royal Commission and the terms of reference he will work by.

• Weatherill announces SA Murray Darling Royal Commission
• New allegations of water theft
• Locals sceptical of Royal Commission

SOUTH Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission will be led by a New South Wales barrister who represented Federal Water Resources Minister Barnaby Joyce as he dealt with his citizenship crisis.

Bret Walker, SC, right, who has agreed to take the role, will investigate allegations of noncompliance and mismanagement of the nation’s longest river system.

Premier Jay Weatherill has told The Advertiser that Mr Walker, who will be put forward to the Governor for a final tick of approval, is eminently qualified to thoroughly investigate widespread allegations of wrongdoing across the Murray-Darling Basin.

Bret Walker SC. Picture Kym Smith

“This will be an independent and rigorous investigation,” Mr Weatherill said.

“Time is of the essence, so this royal commission will begin early in the new year and conclude by February 2019.

“If evidence emerges of criminality, we’ll have no hesitation in pursuing the perpetrators.

“And if South Australia can demonstrate loss as a consequence of this misbehaviour, we will pursue our civil rights.”

Mr Weatherill said he had tabled amendments in State Parliament that eliminated any doubt over whether interstate farmers and irrigators could be compelled to provide evidence to the commission. Mr Walker will be asked to determine if the requirements of the Murray Basin Plan are being met, including enhanced environmental outcomes and returning an additional 450GL to the basin. He will be asked to look at a raft of issues including:

WHETHER the Water Resource Plans for the Murray Darling Basin will be delivered in full by 30 June 2019.

IMPACTS of alleged water theft or noncompliance.

IF monitoring, metering and access to relevant information (such as usage data) is adequate.

FUTURE impacts of climate change.

Opposition Trade and Investment spokesman Tim Whetstone yesterday accused the government of playing politics with the River Murray by “locking” the State Opposition out of the process of determining the terms of reference and the Commissioner.

Mr Walker recently represented Mr Joyce in the High Court as he and four senators were ruled ineligible to sit in parliament because of their dual citizenship.