Views on Irrigation Policy in Australia and Experiences from Brazil and China

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Water policy in Australia is undergoing considerable and unprecedented change. Most recently, the emphasis on the sustainable management of water resources in the Murray Darling Basin has seen a shift of control from the States to the Commonwealth. The declining availability of water and the subsequent approaches taken by governments have come under increasing scrutiny from the public. Indeed, the actions associated with water policy in Australia, particularly water used for irrigated agriculture, have seen ‘lively’ political debates causing fragmentation within communities. The successful implementation of a policy is dependant on public support, especially water policy. We need to rethink how we ‘make’ policy in Australia if we are to successfully manage our water resources into the future.