5 November 2018: Water scarcity, and the critical value of water, have driven outstanding reforms in Australia over recent decades – but progress seems to have stalled in recent years resulting in a call for radical reform of how we make water management decisions.
This is one of the central themes in the 2018 Peter Cullen Lecture, to be presented by the inaugural CEO and Chair of the National Water Commission, Ken Matthews AO, when he presents the 2018 Peter Cullen Lecture titled Water management in Australia: time for a re-think.
The annual lecture hosted by the Peter Cullen Trust, the University of Canberra and Griffith University showcases the legacy of Professor Cullen and brings to light critical issues in water management.
Speaking ahead of the lecture, Mr Matthews said, “Past reforms to the way water is managed in Australia have delivered some very big economic and environmental benefits. But the reforms have now stopped while there is so much more to be done. It is time the water reform community-of-interest became more assertive in calling for a renewed reform agenda for Australian water.”
The late Professor Cullen was one of Australia’s most renowned scientists particularly in the field of water and natural resource management, notably in the areas of nutrient dynamics, freshwater and lake ecology, environmental flows and catchment management.
Mr Matthews was appointed as the National Water Commission’s (NWC) first CEO and Chair in 2004 and served in that role until October 2010.
Prior to his role with the NWC, Mr Matthews had a distinguished career in the federal public service. He was the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services.
The Peter Cullen Lecture will include a question and answer session facilitated by University of Canberra’s Professor Ross Thompson.
Date: Wednesday 7 November 2018, from 6pm until 8pm.
Venue: The Shine Dome, National Science Academy, Acton, ACT, 2600.
Dress code: Business attire
Ken Matthews AO is available for interview.
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Tara Corcoran
0418 806 293
Tara.Corcoran@canberra.edu.au