February 27 will be the day the NSW Parliament debates a motion about creating a national water register.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This week, Member for Murray Helen Dalton submitted a petition with 10,000 signatures to a parliamentary office.
"The petition reached the magic 10,000 mark in just five months," Mrs Dalton said.
"It shows how strongly people feel about this issue. It also means NSW Parliament are legally obliged to debate an issue they've been avoiding for years."
The petition was started by the Speak Up 4 Water campaign.
Mrs Dalton said a national water register would reveal how many politicians - other than herself - own water entitlements.
"Why would anyone oppose transparency?" Mrs Dalton asked.
"The only possible reason could be that the MP owns water themselves, and doesn't want people to know. Or, they could be covering up for their corporate donors.
"At present, politicians, foreign companies, Sydney traders and celebrities can all buy and trade water, but there's no way for the public to identify them."
RELATED
Mrs Dalton called on environment minister and Member for Farrer Sussan Ley to advocate for a similar motion in federal parliament.
"Many of those who signed the petition are in Minister Ley's electorate. They want action. They want a federal royal commission," she said.
"Minister Ley is in a unique position to make this happen.
"If the federal government want a bushfire royal commission after one terrible season, why are they scared of a water royal commission after seven years of corruption and mismanagement?"
A private member's bill, written by Mrs Dalton, which requires NSW parliamentarians to declare their water interests is expected to be introduced into state parliament in March.
READ MORE