Dalton Fights For Transparency In Politics

It may be an uphill battle, but it is one that Independent Member for Murray, Helen Dalton is only too happy to wage.

Integrity and politics are not the first two words most of us would use together in a sentence, but integrity in politics could be one step closer after Mrs Dalton amended a parliamentary bill to ensure water ownership must be included on the pecuniary interest form for all NSW MPs.

“I have been fighting for transparency around water ownership for nearly four years and it is no secret that when I first entered politics I was astounded I had to list every asset I owned except my water,” Mrs Dalton said.

“This is a huge win for the state and the implications of this amendment will be far reaching.”

Lack of transparency around water has been a major concern for Mrs Dalton since the beginning of her political journey.

She said water was critical across Murray because it underpinned the success of the community, environment and business.

“Back in the day, the value of water was in what it could grow,” Mrs Dalton said.

“Now, it is a $2 billion, unregulated commodity and a lot of people are making money out of investing and trading.

“It is imperative the community know if the people making critical water decisions do own water - NSW MPs declaring their own personal interests is just the beginning.”

The call to improve transparency around water ownership has been raging for years.

In February 2021, the ACCC flagged a lack of transparency in water as a major concern in the Murray Darling Basin Water Market Inquiry.

Mrs Dalton said her recent amendment to the integrity legislation bill was the first meaningful step towards true transparency for water ownership in NSW.

She hopes it is just the beginning.

“I have my own bill currently before parliament calling for the implementation of a transparent water register, and I will not give up until this happens,” Mrs Dalton said.

“My bill does not allow for the release of personal details like phone numbers and addresses, just who owns Australia’s very important water licenses.”

Mrs Dalton said she was proud to have initiated a change of such magnitude and looked forward to implementing more in the future.

NSW MPs are required to fill out a pecuniary interest form every six months.

Moving forward, any water interest must now be declared.

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