Who is the water minister? Federal and every state
Current water ministers for Australia and every state and territory, with office addresses and shadow ministers. Write to any of them online.
Australia has nine parliaments: the federal parliament and one for each state and territory. Each government decides its own ministry, so the water portfolio has a different name, and sometimes a different minister, in each one. All nine currently have a minister whose title covers water. This page lists them, their shadows, and the other ministers who share the work, with addresses from each parliament's official records.
Water ministers at a glance
| Parliament | Name | Portfolio | Office mailing address | Write |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | Murray WattALP · Senator for Queensland | Minister for the Environment and Water | PO Box 6100, Senate, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600Parliament House | Write |
| New South Wales | Rose JacksonALP · Member of the Legislative Council | Minister for WaterAlso: Minister for Housing; Minister for Homelessness; Minister for Mental Health; Minister for Youth | Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000Parliament House | Write |
| Victoria | Michaela SettleALP · Member for Eureka | Minister for WaterAlso: Minister for Rural and Regional Development; Minister for Agriculture | 2/3 Peel Street South, Bakery Hill VIC 3350Electorate office | Write |
| Queensland | Ann LeahyLNP · Member for Warrego | Minister for Local Government and WaterAlso: Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers | PO Box 945, Roma QLD 4455Electorate office | Write |
| Western Australia | Daniel PastorelliALP · Member for Landsdale | Minister for WaterAlso: Minister for Mines, Petroleum and Exploration | PO Box 106, Kingsway WA 6065Electorate office | Write |
| South Australia | Emily BourkeALP · Member of the Legislative Council | Minister for Climate, Environment and WaterAlso: Minister for Tourism | Parliament House, Adelaide SA 5000Parliament House | Write |
| Tasmania | Gavin PearceLIB · Member for Braddon | Minister for Primary Industries and WaterAlso: Minister for Veterans' Affairs | 80b Wilson Street, Burnie TAS 7320Electorate office | Write |
| Australian Capital Territory | Suzanne OrrALP · Member for Yerrabi | Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and WaterAlso: Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs; Minister for Housing and Homelessness; Minister for Equality; Minister for Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity | GPO Box 1020, Canberra ACT 2601Parliament House | Write |
| Northern Territory | Josh BurgoyneCLP · Member for Braitling | Minister for Water ResourcesAlso: Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment; Minister for Corporate and Digital Development | PO Box 178, Alice Springs NT 0871Electorate office | Write |
Federal addresses are for Parliament House, where portfolio mail should go. State and territory addresses are the minister's electorate office, which passes portfolio mail on.
Names, roles and addresses on this page come from each parliament's official member lists. Data checked 20 October 2026.
Federal or state: who's responsible for water?
Water supply, water licences and most river management are state and territory responsibilities, often through state-owned water utilities. The federal government has a role in the Murray–Darling Basin and national water policy, which usually sits with the federal environment and water minister.
If you're not sure which level handles your issue, write to your own local member as well. Their office can pass your letter to the right minister.
Water ministers by parliament
Federal water minister
The Minister for the Environment and Water in the federal government is Murray Watt (ALP, Senator for Queensland). Write to them at PO Box 6100, Senate, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600.
In opposition, Michael McCormack (NAT) is Shadow Minister for Water.
New South Wales water minister
The Minister for Water in New South Wales is Rose Jackson (ALP, Member of the Legislative Council), who is also Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Mental Health and Minister for Youth. Write to them at Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000.
In opposition, Steph Cooke (NAT) is Shadow Minister for Water.
Victoria water minister
The Minister for Water in Victoria is Michaela Settle (ALP, Member for Eureka), who is also Minister for Rural and Regional Development and Minister for Agriculture. Write to them at 2/3 Peel Street South, Bakery Hill VIC 3350.
In opposition, Jade Benham (NAT) is Shadow Minister for Water. On the crossbench, Sarah Mansfield (GRN) is Spokesperson for Water.
Queensland water minister
The Minister for Local Government and Water in Queensland is Ann Leahy (LNP, Member for Warrego), who is also Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers. Write to them at PO Box 945, Roma QLD 4455.
In opposition, Nikki Boyd (ALP) is Shadow Minister for Local Government and Water.
Western Australia water minister
The Minister for Water in Western Australia is Daniel Pastorelli (ALP, Member for Landsdale), who is also Minister for Mines, Petroleum and Exploration. Write to them at PO Box 106, Kingsway WA 6065.
In opposition, Peter Rundle (NAT) is Shadow Minister for Water.
South Australia water minister
The Minister for Climate, Environment and Water in South Australia is Emily Bourke (ALP, Member of the Legislative Council), who is also Minister for Tourism. Write to them at Parliament House, Adelaide SA 5000.
In opposition, Nicola Centofanti (LIB) is Shadow Minister for Environment and Water.
Tasmania water minister
The Minister for Primary Industries and Water in Tasmania is Gavin Pearce (LIB, Member for Braddon), who is also Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Write to them at 80b Wilson Street, Burnie TAS 7320.
In opposition, Janie Finlay (ALP) is Shadow Minister for Water. On the crossbench, Tabatha Badger (GRN) is Greens Spokesperson for Water.
Australian Capital Territory water minister
The Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water in the Australian Capital Territory is Suzanne Orr (ALP, Member for Yerrabi), who is also Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Minister for Equality and Minister for Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity. Write to them at GPO Box 1020, Canberra ACT 2601.
Northern Territory water minister
The Minister for Water Resources in the Northern Territory is Josh Burgoyne (CLP, Member for Braitling), who is also Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment and Minister for Corporate and Digital Development. Write to them at PO Box 178, Alice Springs NT 0871.
In opposition, Manuel Brown (ALP) is Shadow Minister for Water Resources.
Shadow water ministers and spokespeople
A shadow minister leads the opposition's policy on water and questions the government in parliament. Write to them when you want an issue raised publicly, or want to know what the alternative government would do. Crossbench spokespeople, such as the Greens in some parliaments, are listed too.
| Parliament | Name | Portfolio | Write |
|---|---|---|---|
| FederalOpposition | Michael McCormackNAT · Member for Riverina | Shadow Minister for WaterAlso: Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs | Write |
| New South WalesOpposition | Steph CookeNAT · Member for Cootamundra | Shadow Minister for WaterAlso: Shadow Minister for Crown Lands | Write |
| VictoriaOpposition | Jade BenhamNAT · Member for Mildura | Shadow Minister for WaterAlso: Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs; Shadow Minister for Disability, Ageing, Carers and Volunteers | Write |
| QueenslandOpposition | Nikki BoydALP · Member for Pine Rivers | Shadow Minister for Local Government and WaterAlso: Shadow Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery, Emergency Services and Volunteers | Write |
| Western AustraliaOpposition | Peter RundleNAT · Member for Roe | Shadow Minister for WaterAlso: Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation | Write |
| South AustraliaOpposition | Nicola CentofantiLIB · Member of the Legislative Council | Shadow Minister for Environment and WaterAlso: Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development | Write |
| TasmaniaOpposition | Janie FinlayALP · Member for Bass | Shadow Minister for WaterAlso: Deputy Leader of the Opposition; Shadow Minister for Energy & Renewables; Shadow Minister for Primary Industries & Aquaculture; Shadow Minister for Environment, Parks & Climate Change; Shadow Minister for Innovation, Artificial Intelligence & the Digital Economy | Write |
| Northern TerritoryOpposition | Manuel BrownALP · Member for Arafura | Shadow Minister for Water ResourcesAlso: Shadow Minister for Environment; Shadow Minister for Parks and Wildlife; Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries; Shadow Minister for Recreational Fishing and Hunting; Shadow Minister for Corporate and Digital Development; Shadow Minister for People, Sport and Culture; Shadow Minister for Veterans; Shadow Minister for Volunteers | Write |
| VictoriaCrossbench | Sarah MansfieldGRN · Member for Western Victoria Region | Spokesperson for WaterAlso: Spokesperson for Mental Health; Spokesperson for Agriculture; Spokesperson for Rural and Regional Communities; Spokesperson for Local Government; Spokesperson for Health; Spokesperson for Sustainable Cities and Planning | Write |
| TasmaniaCrossbench | Tabatha BadgerGRN · Member for Lyons | Greens Spokesperson for WaterAlso: Greens Spokesperson for Mining; Greens Spokesperson for National Parks and Public Land; Greens Spokesperson for Police, Fire and Emergency Management; Greens Spokesperson for Prevention of Family Violence; Greens Spokesperson for Primary Industries; Greens Spokesperson for Science and Information Technology; Greens Spokesperson for Skills and Training; Greens Spokesperson for Small Business; Greens Spokesperson for Tourism and Hospitality | Write |
See every opposition frontbench on the list of shadow ministers.
Also relevant
Assistant ministers, parliamentary secretaries and ministers for closely related areas. If your issue is about one of these areas, they may be the better person to write to, or you can copy them in.
| Parliament | Name | Portfolio | Write |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South WalesGovernment | Courtney HoussosALP · Member of the Legislative Council | Minister for Natural Resources | Write |
| New South WalesOpposition | Dave LayzellNAT · Member for Upper Hunter | Shadow Minister for Mining and Natural Resources | Write |
| QueenslandGovernment | Sean DillonLNP · Member for Gregory | Assistant Minister for Primary Industry Development, Water and Western Queensland | Write |
| QueenslandGovernment | Dale LastLNP · Member for Burdekin | Minister for Natural Resources and Mines | Write |
| QueenslandOpposition | Linus PowerALP · Member for Logan | Shadow Minister for Natural Resources and Mines | Write |
| Australian Capital TerritoryCrossbench | Laura NuttallGRN · Member for Brindabella | Spokesperson for Air and Water | Write |
How to address a letter to a minister
Address the envelope to the minister by name and title, then their office address. Inside, open with Dear Minister. Only write "The Hon" if the minister holds that title; some state ministers do not. The address blocks on each politician page already use the right form. For more detail, see how to address a letter to an MP.
Senator the Hon Murray Watt
PO Box 6100
Senate, Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Dear Senator Watt,
- Keep to one issue, and say exactly which program, service or decision you mean.
- Say what you want the minister to do, in one sentence.
- Include your full postal address so the office can reply.
- A short personal story carries more weight than statistics the department already has.
Write to a water minister now
Pick a minister from the table above and press Write. Better Letters prints your signed letter and posts it for you, or you can download the PDF free and post it yourself. A printed, signed letter is harder to set aside than an email.
Write to a water minister
$3.95 a letter, printed on 100% recycled paper, signed with your signature and posted via Australia Post. Or download the PDF free and post it yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the federal water minister?+
Senator the Hon Murray Watt (ALP) is the Minister for the Environment and Water in the federal government.
Who is the water minister in New South Wales?+
The Hon Rose Jackson MLC (ALP) is the Minister for Water in New South Wales, and also Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Mental Health.
Who is the water minister in Victoria?+
The Hon Michaela Settle MP (ALP) is the Minister for Water in Victoria, and also Minister for Rural and Regional Development and Minister for Agriculture.
Who is the water minister in Queensland?+
The Hon Ann Leahy MP (LNP) is the Minister for Local Government and Water in Queensland, and also Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers.
Who is the water minister in Western Australia?+
The Hon Daniel Pastorelli MLA (ALP) is the Minister for Water in Western Australia, and also Minister for Mines, Petroleum and Exploration.
Who is the water minister in South Australia?+
The Hon Emily Bourke MLC (ALP) is the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water in South Australia, and also Minister for Tourism.
Who is the water minister in Tasmania?+
The Hon Gavin Pearce MP (LIB) is the Minister for Primary Industries and Water in Tasmania, and also Minister for Veterans' Affairs.
Who is the water minister in the Australian Capital Territory?+
Ms Suzanne Orr MLA (ALP) is the Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water in the Australian Capital Territory, and also Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Housing and Homelessness and Minister for Equality.
Who is the water minister in the Northern Territory?+
The Hon Josh Burgoyne MLA (CLP) is the Minister for Water Resources in the Northern Territory, and also Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment and Minister for Corporate and Digital Development.
Who is the shadow water minister?+
Federally, The Hon Michael McCormack MP (NAT) is the Shadow Minister for Water. Oppositions in 8 of Australia's nine parliaments have a shadow minister covering water, all listed on this page.
Should I write to the federal or state water minister?+
Water supply, water licences and most river management are state and territory responsibilities, often through state-owned water utilities. The federal government has a role in the Murray–Darling Basin and national water policy, which usually sits with the federal environment and water minister.
How do I contact the water minister?+
Write a letter. Address the envelope to the minister by name and title, followed by their office address, and open with "Dear Minister". Federal ministers can be written to at Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600. State and territory ministers can be written to at their electorate office, which passes portfolio mail on to their ministerial office.