$50k from the ACT Government for Queensland Floods (with poll)

I gave a large donation to the Victorian Bushfire (Red Cross) APPEAL – then got several “thank-you emails and notices of other “appeals” I might like to contribute to. 🙁 I didn’t get sucked in and later found out that my money didn’t go to the actual victims and that they are still waiting to be compensated “by the Government”.

My advice would be to find out WHO has “lost everything” and not through the newspapers but through friends or relatives in the area and donate to them, personally. You won’t be able to claim back your $50 or whatever but at least you will feel better that it went to the victim, not the Government or the Red Cross/Salvo/Whatever group hangers on.

Deano said :

The usual media distance bias (one local dying is equivalent to 100 dead foreigners has resulted in a lot of over blown reporting.)

This afternoon’s ABC News email took this to the extreme. Nine stories on the Brisbane flood and this one story on the Brazilian flood:

“Brazil floods kill hundreds
Hundreds of people have been killed after floods and landslides swept through south-eastern Brazil.”

That was it – just one line.

neanderthalsis said :

And for all those outraged by the use of “your” money by John and Katy in such a frivolous manner, if you cast your mind back to 2003 you might remember other state governments donating to the ACT bushfire recovery.

No-one gave me any money when Mooseheads burnt down …..

Considering that Queensland produces far more than its fair share of the nation’s food as well as substantial export revenue from both food and natural resources, the floods are likely to cost us financially as well as them. So the more we can do to aid Queensland’s recovery, the better it will be for us… financially as well as nutritionally!

It is also worth noting that the ACT Government gave $300 000 to the Vic bushfire recovery; and while the loss of life was much lower, the loss of and damages to property will be much greater.

Most state governments managed $1m, even the NT Govt managed $500 000. $50k makes the ACT government look tighter than a camels bum in a sandstorm.

And for all those outraged by the use of “your” money by John and Katy in such a frivolous manner, if you cast your mind back to 2003 you might remember other state governments donating to the ACT bushfire recovery.

1600 killed in the Pakistan floods and a much larger impact on more people than is happening in QLD, plus what is the money going to be spent on?…..anyone????

Like all these fundraising efforts, the cash will go to something like a new sporting facility or a new library, i.e. something that wasn’t actually lost in the flood itself because everything lost will be fixed with insurance money or by the Gummint!

Save your pennies and do something to make your own house a little safer.

” it’s worth noting the ACT Government gave twice that amount to the Pakistan floods.”

The Pakistan floods were at least an order of magnitude or two greater than the Queensland floods. The usual media distance bias (one local dying is equivalent to 100 dead foreigners) has resulted in a lot of over blown reporting.

And how much have either of you donated?

F#$%^ me, let me donate my own money ….

I am as compassionate as the next guy but taxpayers money is just that, taxpayers money. Spend it on the those who pay it – The ACT Taxpayer!!!

Katy and Jon being the ultimate state nannies obviously don’t think we are able to donate ourselves whether it’s floods in Pakistan or Queensland. Would they also like to breath for me or go to the toilet for me?