One Nation MP David Farley asked his first parliamentary question on Thursday regarding the role of national defence in water security [1].
The inquiry links resource management to national security, suggesting that the availability of water may be a strategic military concern rather than just an environmental or agricultural issue.
Farley questioned whether the Department of Defence has provided formal input into the review of the 2007 Water Act [1]. He also sought information regarding the 2026 Murray-Darling Basin Plan review [2]. The MP's line of questioning aims to determine if the government views the stability and security of water resources as a fundamental component of the nation's defence capabilities.
"Has the Department of Defence provided any formal input into the review of the 2007 Water Act, the 2026 Murray Darling Basin plan review … does the minister consider water security a core defence capability?" Farley said [1].
The focus on water security follows the recent Farrer by-election, where the issue was a point of contention among voters. By bringing the matter to Question Time in Canberra, Farley is attempting to elevate the issue from a regional electoral concern to a matter of federal security policy.
Farley's approach highlights a potential shift in how resource scarcity is framed within the Australian Parliament. By framing water as a "defence capability," the MP suggests that the management of the Murray-Darling Basin has implications for national stability and sovereignty, a perspective that would necessitate the involvement of the Department of Defence in legislative reviews.
“Does the minister consider water security a core defence capability?”
This move indicates an attempt to securitize environmental policy by framing water scarcity as a national security threat. If the government acknowledges water security as a core defence capability, it could lead to increased military or strategic oversight in the management of the Murray-Darling Basin and the implementation of the Water Act.
