IT SEEMS Victorian Premier John Brumby is preparing to play a game of brinkmanship with the Opposition on Melbourne's access to water from the north-south pipeline.
The pipeline pumps will be turned on within two weeks, delivering the first of about 70,000 megalitres available to Melbourne this year.
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Don't be surprised to hear John Brumby flagging that the flows mean an easing of water restrictions for Melbourne's 3.8 million residents.
After all, Mildura, Swan Hill, Shepparton and other irrigation community towns are watering their lawns as they enjoy the benefits of stage one water restrictions.
Mr Brumby's strategy is all about trying to corner the Opposition.
Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu wants to block the pipeline's flows, saying Melbourne doesn't need the water.
The Opposition already has a disallowance motion sitting on the Legislative Council's notice papers, which would deny Melbourne access to about 50,000 megalitres of the 70,000 megalitres due to come down the pipeline this year.
But the clock is ticking on the disallowance motion, which must be put to a vote by the end of March and requires support from the Greens.
It just so happens the Government has announced it will review Melbourne's water restrictions on March 31.
It's not hard to imagine John Brumby throwing up his hands and saying Melbourne's water restrictions cannot be eased due to the opposition restricting the pipeline's flows.
- Peter Hunt is a senior Weekly Times reporter.
