A salty problem that won't go away

It is unclear whether the kind of political will needed to make the Plan work can be sustained to its conclusion and, critically, beyond.

In this our Centenary of Federation, it is timely to reflect on how well our system has served this ancient and fragile continent and its people. More importantly, how can federalism work better to ensure a clean and healthy country, the kind that we will want to hand on to our children?

A pivotal report – Co-ordinating Catchment Management – was recently released by the House of Representatives environment committee. Among many excellent recommendations was a call for a national environment levy and a thorough examination of public subsidies of environmentally damaging practices.

Last year, the NFF and ACF joined forces to launch the Repairing the Country document which, for the first time, costed the measures needed to begin to reverse Australia’s deteriorating natural capital base. The paper determined that an investment of public funds of around $3.7 billion a year for a decade is required, together with a giant stride forward – across State boundaries – in how we as a nation use and relate to the land.

An environment levy, similar in principle to the Medicare Levy, would go a long way to raising badly needed funds and focusing public attention on the plight of our lands and waters.

The Council of Australian Governments is the appropriate body to lead the collective response to this national crisis. As recommended in the parliamentary report, COAG needs to establish a properly funded and independent and expertise-based National Catchment Management Authority to advise on national targets, performance and payments for improving water quality, reducing salinity and conserving biodiversity.

Although the parliamentary report was prepared in a bipartisan spirit, it remains to be seen whether our political leaders will take to heart that spirit and the need for a fresh approach.