Regulating the Australian Water Market

Abstract

This article examines Australia’s implementation of a national regulatory framework to support the development of robust and mature water markets. To date, competition in water markets and water trading have been inhibited by disparate State-based regulation as well as State-based limitations on trading outside of regions. State-based monopolisation of water infrastructure has also been a significant impediment. The transfer of sovereignty over water to the central Commonwealth government has enhanced the capacity of the regulatory framework to better contribute to building efficient water markets.

Keywords: Water, markets, trading, regulation, Australia