Australia’s ability to generate national dialogue and reach consensus on challenging water issues continues to be well respected by other nations. That was the message to industry officials from Senator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water, when he officially launched International World Water Day in Australia on the event’s eve, 21 March. The theme for World Water Day 2013 is “water cooperation”.
More than 60 water industry representatives and parliamentarians gathered at an industry briefing at Parliament House in Canberra for the launch.
National Water Commission Chair Karlene Maywald also addressed the briefing, releasing the National Water Commission’s National Performance Reports for 2011–12.
Other speakers included Executive Director of the Water Services Association of Australia, Adam Lovell; Chief Executive of the Australian Water Association, Tom Mollenkopf; the Director of the United Nations Information Centre, Christopher Woodthorpe; and National Water Commission Chief Executive Officer, James Cameron.
