Australian water resource inquiry launched

A public inquiry into Australian water reforms has been launched by the Productivity Commission.

Treasurer Scott Morrison has instructed the commission to investigate Australia's water resources, with a particular eye to the National Water Initiative and the need for any further reforms.

"There is scope to further improve the water sectors' effectiveness and efficiency, including through consistent and coordinated regulatory and management arrangements that are aligned with the NWI," he wrote in the inquiry's terms of reference.

A final report is expected to be provided to the federal government by the end of this year.

The commission has also been tasked with examining the implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan every five years, with the first to be completed by the end of 2018.