Dalton’s Persistence Pays Off With Historic Water Register Bill Passed Into Law

Independent Member for Murray Helen Dalton is quite happy to accept being considered a “pain in the ‘you-know-what’ if it means that her passionate efforts yield such successful results as the recent passing of The Water Management Amendment (Water Access License Register Reform) Bill 2024.

This historic law that will stop money-laundering and end the secret buying up of Australian water by foreign buyers was passed into law on Tuesday, October 15.

Ms Dalton said The water register that this Bill created would mean that everyone would know who was buying and selling water in New South Wales.

“For too long, it’s been too easy for criminals to launder the proceeds of crime by buying and selling water that should be used for forming,” Ms Dalton said.

“And at the same time, we have had anonymous foreign buyers purchasing NSW water for reasons they are not required to explain.

“Thanks to this Bill, all that will end.”

Ms Dalton thanked the Water Minister, Rose Jackson, for helping turn this Private Members Bill into law.

“Rose listened, and she understood what was at stake,” Ms Dalton said.

“I note in her speech, Rose called me “tenacious” and “determined”.

“I think that may be a polite way of saying I can be a pain in the “you-know-what” when I’m fighting for things I think are important.

“Rose may have a point, but ultimately I will always do whatever it takes to get proper water reform for our State.”

Ms Dalton thanked the people of rural NSW for supporting her push for the water register.

“This has been a group effort,” she said.

“So I want to thank everyone who helped me to get this important reform across the line.

“This commonsense new law will bring much more fairness to our water markets.”

• Topics:

• Water
• Agriculture & Farming