When a Senate Estimates Hearing in Canberra interviews the Inspector General (IG) of Water Compliance, Troy Grant, you would expect reference to meters, but not to morons and the game Monopoly. However during his interview with the Senators on Friday 26th May, Troy Grant used morons and monopoly to drive home the problems with the current water legislation. When asked about his agency’s approach to water theft or water trading irregularities Troy told the Senators they had 21 open investigations, however the investigation team had closed 62 since his last appearance before the Senate in February. The reason he gave for the number closed is “the legislation is rubbish”. After being told by Senator Cadell “Don’t hold back” the IG said that “the legislation has more get out of jail clauses and opportunities than a Monopoly board.”
Pressed on this he was asked about his thoughts on the water market. Troy told the Senators that the pricing report was that it is absolute rubbish and not fit for purpose. He added that you would have to be a moron to get caught. When asked “How many morons have been caught?” the answer – “None at this stage”.
The Inspector General also voiced his frustration with trying to find out where the $13 billion set aside to implement the Murray Darling Basin Plan has been spent, and how much is left. Using publicly available information he conducted a transparency review to find out how a taxpayer or member of the public to see where the money had gone. He found that there is no where that the public can see the breakdown of the $13 billion nor on what programs or projects the money has been spent. In his opinion lack of transparency has been an ongoing issue with the Murray Darling Basin Plan funding.
When asked about any gaps in governance or enforcement, the Senators were told why would you follow the law if there is nothing to force you to do the right thing which is why the independent review is going to be so important. Senator Cadell took Troy back to his policing days with “Does it take you back to the days in blue, on the street; the frustration of knowing who did it but not being able to pin it on them? Is there is sense of frustration in the organisation over that. To which Troy replied “…That is a good summation.”
This article appeared in the Wilcannia News, June 2023.
