A rights approach:

The Productivity Commission inquiry, Australia’s Urban Water Sector, aims to identify efficiency gains that can be made in Australian urban water and waste water sectors. The Commission will consider a range of factors including environmental, economic and social impacts of any reforms that are proposed as a result of the inquiry. PIAC’s submission to the inquiry takes a human rights approach discussing Australia’s obligations related to the supply of water under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). A human rights platform is used to argue that affordability and consumer protection are essential in guiding any reforms to Australia’s urban water sector. PIAC’s submission advocates for a transparent and consistent approach to regulating water supply, noting that a presently inconsistent approach in NSW results in varying levels of assistance and protections for NSW water consumers. 

SEE ALSO Record Number 943  Australia’s Urban Water Sector Draft Report