Water Act 2007

A stakeholder working group is to be established for each matter referred to the Productivity Commission for inquiry (a referred matter).

A stakeholder working group for a referred matter:

is to exchange information and views on the referred matter or any issues relevant to it; and

may provide advice to the Productivity Commission on the referred matter or any issues relevant to it.

A stakeholder working group for a referred matter is to consist of such persons as the Chair of the Productivity Commission thinks fit who are representative of any:

agricultural, environmental, industry, Indigenous or urban water body; or

other body with an interest in the referred matter.

Subject to subsections (5) and (6), the Chair of the Productivity Commission may determine:

any allowances that are payable to a member of a stakeholder working group in relation to his or her contribution as a member of the stakeholder working group; and

any other matter relating to the functioning of a stakeholder working group.

Despite the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, a member of a stakeholder working group is not to be paid any remuneration in relation to his or her contribution as a member of the stakeholder working group.

A stakeholder working group for a referred matter must meet at least twice about the referred matter before the Productivity Commission submits its report on the matter to the Productivity Minister.

To avoid doubt, a member of a stakeholder working group is not a public office within the meaning of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.