It is incongruous that Mr Cameron shows sudden concern for the Murray-Darling Basin Cap while his Government is happy to circumvent it, as they create a new Bulk Entitlement to remove 75 billion litres from the stressed Basin to send to Melbourne.

While the Murray and Goulburn rivers are in a state of crisis, the Brumby Government will be redirecting environmental flows from the parched North to Melbourne in 2010. The north-south pipeline only pumps in one direction, so there are certainly no means by which that loss is to be offset. As irrigation communities dry up, Brumby’s savings will fail to materialise, like all mirages.

It is farcical for Bob Cameron to embark on a tirade about returning water to the Murray-Darling Basin when his Government is so intent on diverting it out.

As small irrigation communities in the vicinity of Bendigo face a seasonal water allocation of 0 per cent and a bleak future, Mr Cameron should be reminded that Bendigo still has a vested interest in, and some dependence on, agricultural wellbeing.

In these dire circumstances, any saved water from irrigation upgrades should remain within the Murray-Darling Basin for environmental and community benefit.

Mr Cameron should refrain from wading into the water debate, where he immediately drowns himself in his own rhetoric.

ERIL RATHJEN,

Colbinabbin