Wimmera Mallee Pipeline and Government Expenditure.

Wimmera Mallee pipeline scheme, intended to replace the open channel system, has had a less than enthusiastic reception from those other than the political and corporate sectors who will benefit most from its implementation.

It was revealed by a public spirited participant in the process that the contract, for stage 1 and 2, has been signed by relevant local government and water authorities for 50% more than the figures presented to the public. It was also revealed that the original extent of the pipeline will now be truncated and those effected will have to bear the cost of providing the necessary piping to reach their properties. As if the farmers do not have enough new regulations imposing more financial pressure upon their ever increasing debt burden.

Considering the Bracks government track record in massive over-budget contract completions we can only expect the final cost of the pipeline to blow out and significantly add to the debt burden of all Victorians, particularly those immediately effected by the scheme.

The Bracks government has placed the Victorian people in an unenviable position in their exuberance to do the bidding of their foreign masters. The massive spending on infrastructure projects, such as high speed trains, Port Phillip Bay deepening, redevelopment of the city and the Docklands, the Wimmera Mallee pipeline and development of rural and regional areas, are just some of the iceberg that will melt and ultimately drown our future generations. In June 2005 in a special report, it was revealed the Bracks government had spent $500,000,000 on consultants since 2000. Approximately half this expenditure is hidden from the public view because this government's policy is not to detail any consultancy expenditure under $100,000. Not only does this line corporate pockets with tax payers money and increase our debt, but nicely provides a scapegoat should the advice produce a negative outcome. Who, us? It was bad advice from the consultants.

Surely it would be more cost effective to just contract consultants full time and we would not have to fund an obviously inadequate, under qualified, over paid government that cannot administer to the requirements of the people. Why not ask this government exactly how much debt they have imposed on each and every person in Victoria? Of course, how could we trust any publicised figures?

This government is also complicit with the U.N. in the implementation of Agenda 21 with their commitment to Public Private Partnerships. An extract from a report exposing the massive handouts to corporations involved in PPP's states;

"Audited information should be officially available to confirm or deny claims made to the effect that Connex and Yarra Trams, at $500 million, are twice the cost of the Met. in 1999, and that City Link tolls paid to Transurban are twice that needed to finance the same road financed by government debt. Also, it may show that the benefit of the $1.8 million Southern Cross (old Spenser Street) roof could have been achieved with the expenditure of $100 million from the current budget surplus, that the Packer families County Court will cost $400 million more than the Federal Court, which is of similar capacity, and the R.W.H. will cost $400 million more than if it was financed out of government debt". These are only some of the major PPP's.

Interesting to see Peter Ryan, the National Party leader in Victoria, trying to convince the rural communities just how dedicated he is toward the rural cause now there is an election on the agenda. It is comical how these political parties are in everyone's face when there is an election in the wind, but once the elections are over they do not want to know those who elected them, or support them in public issues.. Well, where the hell was he when the initial costing on the pipeline was being hidden from the people? Where was he when the rural areas in the pipeline scheme wanted support in their fight to prevent the mass medication by the Bracks government, with their intention to fluoridate the pipeline supply? Have we heard any comments from him in relation to the massive increase in the pipeline costs to those he is supposed to be concerned about?

Not that our elected politicians would be truly concerned about these huge debt increases, for their lurks, perks, over-the- top superannuation and pensions are not dependant on any accountability to the people of this state, and ensures them a comfortable life style. They have no accountability. We need to have contractual agreements with our elected representatives that hold them accountable for their decisions, before we elect them. The people have to reclaim their constitutional rights. The people are sovereign and democracy demands the government are subordinate to the people and accountable to the people.

John Sloan