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Bracks Stalls Wimmera Mallee Pipeline Again

The Bracks Government’s latest attempt to back away from funding the vital Wimmera Mallee Pipeline is another addition to Steve Bracks’ long list of broken promises.

By Philip Davis - 28th November 2005 - Back to News

The Bracks Government’s latest attempt to back away from funding the vital Wimmera Mallee Pipeline is another addition to Steve Bracks’ long list of broken promises, Shadow Minister for Country Victoria Philip Davis and Shadow Minister for Water Tony Plowman said today.

Mr Davis said Steve Bracks’ practice of frequently changing his mind about funding allocations is jeopardising the Commonwealth Government’s funding commitment and putting at risk the future water supply for Western Victoria.

"The Bracks Government has a troubled history in committing to the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline project," he said.

"After intense debate, argument and bargaining, the Bracks Government changed its mind twice on whether to support the Federal Government’s National Water Initiative.

"Then in the 2005-06 Budget, Labor finally committed to $167 million in funding for the project – a third of its total cost, which would be matched by the Commonwealth Government and the local water authority.

"But now we have yet another about face, with the Bracks Government claiming the $167 million would include money previously spent on the pipeline."

Mr Plowman said this is further proof the Bracks Government is not committed to the National Water Initiative. By not funding the project it is breaking its agreement with the Federal Government to provide water for the Living Murray project.

"The people of country Victoria will again have to bear the cost of Labor’s waste and mismanagement, as Steve Bracks tries to back away from his commitment in order to plug his spending blowouts," he said.

"The Wimmera Mallee Pipeline is imperative to stop water loss through seepage and evaporation while operating the stock and domestic channel system."

Mr Davis said the Liberal Party moved to have the pipeline funded using the funds collected from the environment levy through the Water Industry (Environmental Contributions) Act 2004, but the Bracks Government rejected it.

"The Bracks Government has done everything in its power to dodge responsibility for this important water project," Mr Davis said.

"The Commonwealth Government has had its share of the funding on the table waiting for Steve Bracks to commit and get this project underway.

"Millions of litres of water are being lost while the Bracks Government chops and changes its mind."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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