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Secret details surrounding the Foodbowl Modernisation Project will soon be made public after the Brumby Government reluctantly agreed to release key information.

 Shadow Minister for Country Water Resources and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh said the release of the business case for irrigation infrastructure upgrades in northern Victoria had been a long time coming.

"The Premier has been dragged kicking and screaming to the negotiating table," Mr Walsh said.

"The government invested a billion dollars of taxpayer’s money on the strength of the business case for the northern Victorian irrigation renewal project – if the plan stacks up John Brumby should have nothing to hide.

"Instead Labor has used every manoeuvre possible to avoid releasing this important public information until now, when faced with a potentially embarrassing VCAT hearing, the Premier has suddenly had a change of heart."

Mr Walsh said Labor’s track record with accountability and transparency involving the taking of water for the north-south pipeline had been appalling.

"Ever since the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition first pursued information in August 2008, Labor has engaged in secrecy and cover-ups, refusing to make details public," Mr Walsh said.

"Without a transparent and publicly available plan, Victorians have every reason not to trust the Brumby Government."

Mr Walsh said the Food Bowl Modernisation Project business case was expected to reveal what work will be undertaken, how much this was estimated to cost, and the water savings that the government expected to achieve.

"The Victorian Coalition is also pursuing the full details of John Brumby’s commitment to the Federal Government in order to secure funding for stage two," Mr Walsh said.

"We have lodged a Freedom of Information request with the Commonwealth seeking details of the commitments the Brumby Government has given regarding the water savings likely from stage two of the Food Bowl Modernisation Project.

"We believe Mr Brumby has promised the Commonwealth 100GL of water savings irrespective of the savings actually achieved," Mr Walsh said.

"Premier Brumby objected to the release of this information, which suggests they have something to hide from Victorians. The matter is currently before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal."

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