A panel of scientific experts has been appointed to advise the Rudd Government on the use of water purchased to restore the rivers and wetlands of the Murray-Darling Basin.

Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, said today that the Environmental Water Scientific Advisory Committee would provide advice to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

"This committee has been appointed to ensure the best possible benefits for Murray-Darling Basin rivers and wetlands from water purchased from willing sellers under our $12.9 billion Water for the Future plan," Senator Wong said.

"Members have been appointed on the basis of their expertise across a range of scientific disciplines, including hydrology, river and floodplain ecology, wetland ecology, ecological risk assessment and the management of aquatic ecosystems.

"The committee will provide expert advice on setting environmental watering priorities, monitoring the benefits of environmental flows, and identifying knowledge gaps.

"I'm pleased that such an eminent group of experts has accepted appointment to this committee, which will play a vital role in helping restore the Basin's rivers and wetlands to health."

Committee members have been appointed for an initial period of two years. Emeritus Professor Barry Hart of Monash University, who chaired the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Partnership - Science Advisory Panel, will chair the Environmental Water Scientific Advisory Committee. The other committee members are:

• Professor Angela Arthington, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University;
• Dr Ben Gawne, Director of the Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre;
• Professor Richard Kingsford, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW;
• Dr Mike Stewardson, Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Melbourne;
• Associate Professor Keith Walker, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide;
• Associate Professor Robyn Watts, School of Environmental Sciences, Charles Sturt University.

Details about the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder are available at: www.environment.gov.au/water/environmental/cewh/