Former AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty has been recruited to make sure water users in the Northern Basin are doing the right thing.
The highly decorated police officer will become the Northern Basin Commissioner to make sure the Northern Basin Review is implemented and the rules of the Basin Plan are followed.
Minister for Water Resources David Littleproud said there was no better person to take on the job.
"Mick Keelty spent decades keeping Australians safe and now he'll be keeping precious water safe," Minister Littleproud said.
"With 35 distinguished years in the AFP, this is exactly the leader we need in the Northern Basin.
"No honest user has anything to fear from compliance.
"He will bring a firm but fair hand to the job.
"As Commissioner he strengthened the AFP and made it a world-class security force.
"He will help give communities up and down the basin confidence in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan."
The Northern Basin Commissioner role was created as part of the 7 May 2018 agreement with Labor that revived the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
"This is a great outcome and it just goes to show what can be done when we all work together," Minister Littleproud said.
"I congratulate Mr Keelty on his new role and look forward to his work securing Australia's water."
See Minister Littleproud welcome Commissioner Keelty here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWiPDPzJMcw&feature=youtu.be
Fast facts
- Mick Keelty served 35 years in the Australian Federal Police
- He was AFP Commissioner from 2001 – 2009
- Keelty became the inaugural Chairperson of the Australian Crime Commission in 2003
- Awarded the Order of Australia, Australian Police Medal for distinguished service, Centenary Medal, National Medal with Rosette and Singapore's Distinguished Service Order
