Corporate governance
The National Water Commission is responsible for the outcome: sustainable management and use of Australia's water resources. Our outputs are policy advice and program management. The full responsibilities of the Commission are set out under the National Water Commission Act 2004.
The Commission's governance framework supports performance across the organisation, while ensuring that key accountability requirements are met. As a public service agency, our decisions must be transparent, our policies justifiable and our practices beyond reproach.
Performance reporting and accountability
As required by its obligations under the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 and the Public Service Act 1999, the Commission reports on its performance in accordance with the performance information framework set out in the Commission's Portfolio Budget Statements.
Reporting requirements include:
- Budget statements
- Service charter
- Contracts list
- File lists
- Legal services expenditure
- Grants reporting
Annual reports and other corporate publications are also available from our publications section.
The Commission is also accountable for its activities through the Parliament.
Freedom of information
Under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cwlth) (the FOI Act), members of the public are entitled to apply for access to documents that fall within its scope.
From 1 May 2011 the National Water Commission is required, under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act), to publish a register of information that has been released in response to requests under the FOI Act. The register is described as a disclosure log. The disclosure log requirement complements the establishment of the Information Publication Scheme (IPS) which also commenced on 1 May 2011.