Opened the debate
Cadell moved the second reading of the bill, arguing it established a Commission of Inquiry to examine the behaviour and performance of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder. Cadell stated that the bill addressed concerns from regional communities about the lack of transparency and accountability in how billions of dollars of environmental water were managed. Cadell asserted that while environmental water should exist, there was insufficient evidence that current practices delivered promised outcomes for the environment or local economies. Cadell argued that a parliamentary Commission of Inquiry was necessary because the government had refused to act and had shown a lack of interest in water issues through reduced Senate Estimates time.