How does this work ?
THE TOP EIGHT COUNTRIES THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT GAVE YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO IN 2010-2011
Indonesia $458,700.00 million
Papua New Guinea $457,200,00 million
Solomon Islands $225,700.00 million
Afghanistan $123,100.00 million
Vietnam $119,800.00 million
Philippines $118,100.00 million
East Timor $102,700.00 million
Cambodia $64,200.00 million
TOTAL = $ 1,669,000,000.00 - given away in 52 weeks
..but wait there’s more.
Australia provides approximately 150,000 tonnes of food aid every year—about $65 million—to Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Chad
In 2005 John Howard committed Australia to double Australian aid to about $4 billion a year by 2010
In 2010-2011 the Australian Government plans to spend almost $4.4 billion on development assistance
In 2008 the Australian community contributed $812.19million to non-government organisations
SO….. Ask your local member how come 2010 Queensland flood victims get $1 million ?
When insurers, such as Allianz and CGU, provide cover for storm damage but exclude flood from their home and contents policies.
YES THIS A BLOODY INSULT TO THE AUSTRALIAN AND QUEENSLAND PEOPLE WHO NEED IT THE MOST SO IT IS ABOUT TIME THE GOVERMENT STARTED LOOKING AFTER THERE OWN BACK YARD AND FORGET THE REST FOR A LONG TIME THIS IS BULL ****???
Is this some sort of chain email doing the rounds atm? Anyone with any decent common sense would realise it's a today tonight style beatup. Yes, Australia gave a lot of aid to those countries but think of the money they are currently spending during this crisis and will continue to do so. The infastructure repair costs alone will be in the billions, then there's the emergency payments etc etc. The 1 million was just a _start_ to the fund, if you think that's all the government is going to contribute you are seriously misguided.
RE insurance companies, yes, they aren't the most liked businesses around, but if you live in a flood prone area and didn't read the fine print on you policy or chose to skimp on flood insurance you can hardly blame them; as harsh as that may be.
Like I said when I got the email and copied it into the "Top Joke " thread as probably the worst joke ever: - "Don't ask me to verify the figures but the comparison is relevant."
The "Government" does not have any money of it's own. The "Government" gets money from you and I the taxpayers.
The "Government" then blows huge amounts of it on so called "Foreign Aid" as a priority over building national infrastructure and helping the needy within our own communities.
The comparison is relevant!!
I haven't read most of this thread. I'm sure I will later, however, I thought it may be appropriate to hijack this thread, rather than starting a new one and say.....
How impressed I am with Anna Bligh. She comes across, during this crisis, as an expert communicator. It's like she was invented just for this disaster. They should put that chick doing the sign language at the back when she's at press conferences. I'm guessing public opinion will turn on her as months pass.
I heard a little from NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally, today - she's got no idea. Brumby, in Vicco, was marginally better, last year during the bushfires.
I live in Rockhampton and IMO the local, state and fed government are doing everything in there power too help the people through this.
Whats the good of a billion dollars when the place is still under water? Its not all about money. You thow a trillion dollars at Toowoomba and it won't take away whats happened to the people that are now homeless and have lost loved ones.
Putting the state back together I'm sure is going to cost more then we give in foreign aid. Think you're jumping the gun a bit Doc.
Warning. Insult ahead:
Ya knucklehead.
Shouldnt we be proud of being a supporter of international welfare and thankfull we are in a position to do so?? As it is the govt ( us ) will be spending billions to get the joint up again. come over with me and help put it back together instead of stirring the s--t bucket.
She is not popular with her selling off of Qld assetts but the general opinion
amongst the people I talk with is that she showed her mettle and responded to the
crisis very very well with her particular emphasis that it is not just about Brisbane.
Many small rural communities have suffered hugely on a, for want of a better term, percentage basis.
In Bundaberg we were about the first to suffer from flooding but in comparison to,
for instance, Toowoomba, we got off lightly, touch wood.
Another person who deserves big strokes for his efforts is Kevin Rudd who has been paddling around in knee deep water helping people in his electorate shift their belongings from houses soon to be completely flooded.
Times of crisis usually bring out the best of character in people.
Quote:- "The character of the individual is not made in a crisis. It is REVEALED in a crisis." Dr. Kenneth McFarland, In his time America's No1 public speaker.
It was very heartening to hear the Indonesian Foreign Minister say that "When Australians have disasters, Indonesia will be there for them."
its nothing to with floods, its all about making Karl Stefanovic seem genuine in the moment, Like the NZ mine disaster and his claim that the town was built on mining, the town was new to mining, there were no "generations of mining families", of which Karly poo was trying to cash in on for his employers, the little frog mouthed Slavic Ho Beeyatch.
Cisco, I think you missed the point. Notwal (I think ) was pointing out the inequality of the comparison. You charitable deeds are up to you but I just find it incongruous that such an upstanding, generous, compassionate and kind citizen as yourself then holds such hard line attitudes to boat people and the like
I honestly don't think the government would abandon people at this time of need. The thing with Australian's is that they stick together when they have to. Just look at Black Saturday as an example of how people are prepared to help out each other.
What will emerge from this is amazing stories of heroism, courage and generosity. Its this selflessness that makes Australian's who they are and its this generosity that has resulted in the sort of aid that we've seen provided to other countries.
As for the comments on insurance, you may not be aware that in some areas you actually can't get insurance for floods.
The one thing that has amazed me is even through all the hardship, the Queenslanders still have their sense of humour. This little picture taken in Ipswitch was absolute gold.
Pity her main job is not in a related field.....
All this talk about money, now is the time for the Queensland govenrment to start a hedge fund by suspension of all income tax until there is complete restoration. It will be funded by the government paying wages in a gold coin struck in a government mint funded from the coffers of the mining industry.
An opportunity to turn a disaster into a revolution
