Pipeline: Auditor General exposes Government deceit

Brumby Government deceit and use of ‘rubbery’ figures for the North-South Pipeline/Foodbowl Modernisation Project have been exposed by the Auditor General’s report on Victoria’s Water Infrastructure Project.

Bill Sykes, Nationals Member for Benalla congratulated the Auditor General for listening to the people and taking seriously their concerns about the Government’s rushed, incompetent and deceitful approach to the Pipeline/Foodbowl Modernisation and other water projects.

Dr Sykes said, “The Auditor General’s major criticisms included:-

• The Government misled the public in relation to the costs of water infrastructure projects by using costs lower than the most likely cost projection for the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant;
• The Government failing to disclose the ‘low level of rigour’ applied to the Foodbowl Modernisation water savings and benefit/costs/risks assessment;
• The Government failing to verify water losses available for savings – in spite of concerns being expressed by a large number of individuals and organisations; and
• The Government misled the public in relation to its claims of VFF support for the project.”

Dr Sykes continued, “This sort of incompetence and deceit is what you may expect in a third world country.

“Mr Brumby’s excuse is that it was an emergency when Victoria had very low run off into Melbourne dams in Summer 2006/07.

“The truth is that the rain had been 50% of long term averages since 1997 and Mr Brumby just realised there was a problem in 2006/07!”

Dr Sykes also said that Mr Brumby’s incompetence and deceit is going to be further exposed over the next few months. The Auditor General is conducting further investigations into issues such as allocation of a $140 million contract without following due process.

Dr Sykes concluded, “I encourage people of Northern Victoria to continue to voice their objection to the North-South Pipeline while maintaining their support for the much needed water infrastructure upgrades”.