88Productivity Commission inquiry—National Water Initiative

88  Productivity Commission inquiry—National Water Initiative Power to conduct inquiries  (1) During the 3 year period ending on 31 December 2017, the Productivity Minister must, under paragraph 6(1)(a) of the Productivity Commission Act 1998, refer to the Productivity Commission for inquiry the matter of the progress of parties to the National Water Initiative towards achieving the objectives and outcomes of, and within the timelines required by, the National Water Initiative.  (2) During the subsequent 3 year period that occurs after the completion of the Commission’s most recent inquiry under this section, the Productivity Minister must, under paragraph 6(1)(a) of the Productivity Commission Act 1998, refer to the Productivity Commission for inquiry the matter of the progress of parties to the National Water Initiative towards achieving the objectives and outcomes of, and within the timelines required by, the National Water Initiative. Reports on inquiries etc.  (3) In referring the matter to the Productivity Commission for inquiry, the Productivity Minister must:  (a) under paragraph 11(1)(b) of the Productivity Commission Act 1998, specify the 3 year period in which the referral occurs as the period within which the Productivity Commission must submit its report on the inquiry to the Productivity Minister; and  (b) under paragraph 11(1)(d) of that Act, require the Productivity Commission to make recommendations on actions that the parties to the National Water Initiative might take to better achieve the objectives and outcomes of the National Water Initiative. Note: Under section 12 of the Productivity Commission Act 1998, the Productivity Minister must cause a copy of the Productivity Commission’s report to be tabled in each House of the Parliament.  (3A) Once the matter has been referred to the Productivity Commission for inquiry, the Chair of the Productivity Commission must establish a stakeholder working group in accordance with section 89. Regard to be had to objectives of National Water Initiative  (3B) When conducting an inquiry, the Productivity Commission must have regard to the objectives provided for in clause 23 of the National Water Initiative.  (4) After submitting its report to the Productivity Minister and before a copy of the report is tabled in each House of the Parliament, the Productivity Commission must give a copy of the report to:  (a) the First Ministers’ Council; and  (b) any subcommittee (however described) of the Council that deals with matters relating to water. Matters relating to industry, industry development and productivity  (5) For the purposes of paragraph 6(1)(a) of the Productivity Commission Act 1998, the matter mentioned in subsections (1) and (2) of this section is taken to be a matter relating to industry, industry development and productivity.