The Commissioners
Seven Commissioners make up the National Water Commission all of whom are appointed by the Australian Government. Four Commissioners are nominated by the Australian Government, and three by the States and Territories. The inaugural Chair of the National Water Commission is Mr Ken Matthews, who brings to the position relevant experience as a former Secretary of the Commonwealth Departments of Transport and Regional Services, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Mr Matthews has also been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Commission.
Currently the Commissioners are Mr Ken Matthews, Mr David Trebeck, Mr Peter Corish, Ms Chloe Munro, and Dr John Radcliffe.
Each Commissioner has been selected for the contribution they can make as individuals to the work of the National Water Commission. Commissioners do not represent any particular group or sector. All Commissioners are required to act in the best interests of the National Water Commission.
Roles
Commissioners
The role of the Commissioners is to:
- provide guidance on the strategic policy framework for the National Water Commission.
- provide guidance on major reports or advice to Council Of Australian Government or governments.
- promote the National Water Commission and the National Water Initiative externally, including speaking for the Commission as agreed within the Commission.
- champion certain aspects of National Water Initiative reforms as agreed with the Commission.
- monitor the quality of corporate governance within the Commission .
- review the performance of the Commission.
Commission Chair
The role of the Chair of the NWC is to
- Convene and conduct meetings of the Commission
- Keep the Minister of the Environment and Water Resources informed of the general operations of the Commission
- Represent and speak on behalf of the Commission externally
- Facilitate a constructive and collegiate mode of operation.
- Manage declarations of interest by, and leave arrangements for, Commissioners.
Commission Chief Executive Officer
The role of the Commission Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is to
- Arrange support for the Commissioners in the discharge of their duties
- Manage the day-to-day administration of the NWC
- Administer the Australian Government Water Fund or other Commonwealth programmes
- Discharge the functions of the CEO under other legislation including
the Financial
Management and Accountability Act 1997, and the Public
Service Act 1999.
Commission staff
The Commissioners are supported by an experienced and professional staff. The staff, under direction from the Commissioners and the Act, actively pursue the Commission’s objectives and its work programme.