Fact checking and logic are a beautiful thing - Queensland flood relief.

The most common argument here seems to be a claim that the Australian Government gave 1 billion dollars to Phuket after the tsunami and 66 million dollars to the Pakistan flood appeal but they’re donating nothing to Queensland flood relief. The point we need to remember is that ‘Australia’ gave most of the money to Phuket & Pakistan, not the Australian Government. These funds were raised through telethons and appeals. The Government did donate a considerable sum of money however the difference between the Phuket tsunami and the Queensland floods is that the tsunami came and went in under an hour. Recovery could begin almost immediately. The Queensland floods aren’t over yet. It’s not possible to start rebuilding now, the flood waters are still rising.

For the time being, there is no point in the Government throwing huge sums of money at QLD. That will be relevant once the flood waters recede and the clean up begins. For now their priority is evacuating people and ensuring their safety.

It also doesn’t seem to occur to people that the main organisation working around the clock is the SES. Otherwise known as the State Emergency Service. A Government funded organisation. These people are working all day in appalling conditions and without the Government they wouldn’t exist. They’re out there pushing themselves physically and mentally all for the benefit and well being of the community.

I know the floods are tragic, seeing all these people suffer is horrible and heartbreaking. We do need to keep it in perspective though. The current death toll is sitting at around 12. The Phuket tsunami wiped out over 229000 people almost instantly.

There’s absolutely no point or validity in verbally bashing Julia Gillard and Anna Bligh. They’re doing as much as they can and I guarantee that if Tony Abbott were Prime Minister he wouldn’t be throwing billions at Queensland. It doesn’t work that way. This is a time to stick together and support those who need it the most, it’s not a time to be playing politics and the blame game. It doesn't get us anywhere.

http://www.qld.gov.au/floods/donate.html

https://donate.rspcaqld.org.au/flood