Ms Rathjen’s moral outrage ignores some basic facts.

For example, Victoria is the most efficient allocator of water of all the basin states, yet the water from the Murray has been, and continues to be, overallocated.

However, the pipeline will take a share from the extra water saved because of infrastructure improvements delivered by the Government.

Ms Rathjen ignores the significant infrastructure improvements that come with the Government’s pipeline project.

Although Melbourne is paying to fix the bush’s leaky pipes, there is a reason why the farmers do not want their old water wheels replaced - and Eril knows it.

I also point out that the pipeline will be capable of pumping water back up north, as was conveniently noted by Melissa Fyffe in The Sunday Age some months ago.

When other water projects, such as the desalination plant, go online residents in northern Victoria will be able to share in the benefits.

Could Ms Rathjen justifiably make the argument, for example, that electricity produced in the La Trobe Valley ought not be shared with the rest of Victoria?

We Melbournians are also feeling the effects of the drought. I challenge Ms Rathjen to front up down here and tell us that she thinks we ought to run out of water; something we all need to live.

PAUL ROMAS,

Reservoir