Water Policy innovation does not have a ceiling. When designed well, it creates entirely new categories of value — value that strengthens a nation’s productivity, resilience, and sovereignty. The current structure of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan has created new categories of value — but not ones that necessarily serve Australia or Australians. Water entitlements are increasingly held as financial instruments: foreign institutional assets, speculative vehicles, and superannua

Making Australians aware of the need to improve water policy for national benefit is expected to be a key focus in 2026 for the Speak Up Campaign.   Its Deputy Chair, David Farley, is so far the only nomination to take over the Chair’s role from retiring high profile Shelley Scoullar, when the organisation hosts its annual general meeting in Finley on February 13.   Mr Farley, from Narrandera, is an internationally experienced agricultural leader and management executive.   H