Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton, says a new Water Register she has

convinced the NSW Government to introduce will help stop money laundering as

well as the secret purchase of Australian water by foreign governments.

She introduced the bill to parliament late last year, with the aim to force NSW politicians to declare their water interests on our conflict-of-interest form. This includes any water they previously owned in the last five year and any water their spouse owns. 

Change the application process for getting a water licence so people can't hide their identity when they apply for their licence. All current licence holders will also have to provide more information about company directors, shareholders and related corporations. 

Change the online water register to allow people to search for water holdings of people, companies and government departments. This includes water holdings held within irrigation corporations. 

Protect the privacy of mum-and-dad farmers by ensuring the public register does not publish personal phone numbers, emails or residential addresses. 

"Until now, Australians have never known who owns our water," Ms Dalton said. "But this Water Register will finally lift the lid on who owns what."

"That means criminals will no longer be able to hide their proceeds of crime by purchasing and trading water. It also means that foreign governments will no longer be able to secretly buy up Australian water without us knowing."

"This will help farmers by restoring common sense to our water markets," Helen said. "From now on, the people who buy water will be buying the water for the right reasons. They will be using water to produce the food and textiles that make this country great.”

"Water Minister Rose Jackson is very smart and she understands how strongly voters care about this issue.

“Farming communities are sick of criminals and foreign governments

using our precious water for all the wrong reasons."

"The passing of this Bill will be proof that Parliamentarians can, and must, work together on important issues that voters care about. Issues like this are above politics."