Title:
WATER FOR WELLBEING: OPTIMISING WATER QUALITY AND IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

Authors:
Dr Adam Paul Heaton

Abstract:
The importance of the health of the Murray Darling Basin is addressed by the Senate Select Committee on the Multi-Jurisdictional Management and Execution of the Murray Darling Basin Plan. The author’s response to the inquiry, overviewed in this short paper, puts forward an argument and recommendations for the need to incorporate traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous)knowledge into the Plan, to improve water quality of the Murray and the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. All recommended actions centre genuine partnership between the Australian Government, State and Territory Governments and Indigenous Australians and Indigenous organisations, as set out in the New National Agreement on Closing the Gap.