NATIONAL IRRIGATORS’ COUNCIL

POLICY PORTFOLIO - ABORIGINAL WATER

Advocating for the Australian irrigated agriculture industry

In 2010, the Murray Lower Darling Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) and Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations (NBAN), as part of the Echuca Declaration stated that:

“Cultural Flows” are water entitlements that are legally and beneficially owned by the Nations of a sufficient and adequate quantity and quality to improve the spiritual, cultural, natural, environmental, social and economic conditions of those Nations. These are our inherent rights.”

Since then the Federal Government established an advisory body the Committee of Aboriginal Water Interests to provide advice to government on Aboriginal Water Interests. The group provided an 'insights paper' designed to "present[s] a set of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander water values, principles, and actions that the Committee wants recognised and reflected within national water reform initiatives. However, we do recognise that these may not capture all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ water interests and values and we welcome comments and questions so that we can continue to advocate for water rights and advise the Australian Government to the best of our ability."

 

 


 

KEY MESSAGES

National Irrigators' Council acknowledges the traditional owners of country; their deep connection with land and water, and the strong spiritual obligation of Aboriginal people to care for country.

We support, recognise and value Cultural objectives in water planning as well as the use, access and management of water for Cultural objectives, within the current water management framework and market systems.



Position Statements

Enabling Cultural objectives in the water management framework

Agreed Position Statement July 2025

Key Related NIC Resources on Aboriginal Water 


NIC Members agreed to amend and update our Aboriginal Water Position Statement, and agreed to the following Position Statement titled 'enabling Cultural objectives in water management'.

This position statement was prepared in conjunction with our Murray-Darling Basin Position Statement and our Positon Statement on reliability of water entitlements and our guiding principles. 

Approved 17 July 2025.

On Monday, Prime Minister Albanese announced the 2024 Annual Report on Closing the Gap and the 2025 workplan. 

We note, that for 2025 actions the priorities will be to develop a First Nations Water Strategy to inform Commonwealth actions under the proposed National Water Agreement. As well as, the Commonwealth continues to work with jurisdictions and a Coalition of Peaks to develop the inland waters target to measure progress towards securing First Nation peoples interest in inland water bodies. 

Under Objective 15 there are current targets for land and sea, but the inland target was not nationally agreed.

We hope to have a Member Policy update on this in the coming month.



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