The Ebbs and Flows of Water Trading Markets
It’s no secret that water is essential to life as we know it. By 2025, it’s estimated that over 60% of the world will live in water stressed areas. So it’s no shock that access to and ownership of water is big business. Australia has the most sophisticated market system for the trading of water entitlements, predominantly built around the Murray-Darling Basin. But does the market work effectively? Should something as valuable as water be commoditised like shares?
For this episode, Toby Hemmings spoke with:
- Scott Hamilton, author of Sold Down the River: How Robber Barons and Wall Street Traders Cornered Australia’s Water Market
- Mike Young, professor of water policy at the University of Adelaide
Further reading:
- ACCC – Murray-Darling Basin Water Markets Inquiry Final Report – Feb 2021
