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The Forum > Article Comments > Gillard's spin on flood levy sucking her into the vortex > Comments

Gillard's spin on flood levy sucking her into the vortex : Comments

By Malcolm Colless, published 31/1/2011

Gillard’s flood levy is all about demonstrating that she has what it takes to be a real leader. But it may, in fact be her undoing.

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Gillard is addicted to mass social 'reform' programs similar to those imposed in dictatorial regimes in which everyone is forced to pay for schemes which are ultimately ideological in nature. Money from the new tax is not for the flood victims per se, but to avoid accessing other funding already allocated for 'reform' programs. The NBN, for example, is untouchable.

She has had great problems finding the money for such programs and simply raising taxes is usually a big vote loser. A natural disaster (for which the Government should have already been prepared)is an opportunity for her to impose a new tax with the cover of it being a social welfare fund, particularly as the Carbon Tax, which she promised would not happen,looks a little shaky now.

Now we will hear from Labor the 'you're stopping the recovery and hurting the people of Queensland' line when the Opposition attempt to block the legislation. This is of course a red herring. The Flood Tax is about obtaining a new source of income for the Govt so they can protect monies already allocated for their future social 'reform' agenda.
Posted by Atman, Monday, 31 January 2011 10:16:08 AM
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The PM should realise that the imposition of a levy would cut disposable income and this in turn would slow down the economy , cut tax revenue and lessen the prospect of achieving budget surplus in 2012 - 2013.

Furthermore, besides punishing those who have already contributed by way of voluntary assistance or donations, imposition of the levy would deter people from taking appropriate insurance cover (as they would expect similar levy assistance in future), or from making donations to flood victims in future.

Instead of imposing the levy, the Govt should let the Budget go into deficit. Budget surpluses are not sacrosanct.

Alternatively, the Govt should delay, or better still abandon, expenditure on the ideological NBN project.

However, closer analysis suggests that the Federal Govt should not pick up the tab for the flood damage in Brisbane at all, as this flood was the result of apparent negligence on the part of a Queensland Government entity, namely, the operator of the Wivenhoe Dam. Because of the operator's lack of foresight, a third of the dam's capacity had to be released on Tuesday 11 January when the Brisbane River was already carrying massive runoff.

(Stewart Franks, a hydrologist at NSW’s University of Newcastle, warned in a peer-reviewed scientific article published in 2006 that the risk of serious flooding in southern Queensland and NSW increases significantly when a negative phase of the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation corresponds with a La Nina event (http://jennifermarohasy.com/blog/2011/01/is-it-time-to-listen-to-so-called-deniers/#more-7359) The Australian Bureau of Meteorology, given these same conditions, forecast average rainfall last spring! )

Given that Anna Bligh displayed great leadership qualities during the flood crisis, she no doubt would find the way for the Queensland Govt to pay for that Brisbane flood damage. This would have the benefit of instilling greater Qld Govt spending efficiency in the future
Posted by Raycom, Monday, 31 January 2011 11:08:56 AM
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Disposable income 1.40 / week how measly can one get. You will just have to stay away from poker machines and horses.
Posted by a597, Monday, 31 January 2011 11:27:58 AM
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Atman, Monday, 31 January 2011 10:16:08 AM

NBN ; So you think it's OK for you to have a "Free Porn Internet Access"
but the peoples of the North not .
Sure glad your not our PM you are a selfish Atman .
Posted by Garum Masala, Monday, 31 January 2011 12:33:36 PM
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The Snowy Scheme demonstrates how water can diverted under ground and the locality the water came from is elevated how no one is talking about a Dam up there somewhere fed by canal and /or tunnel the Dam would sure help the environmental sustainability of the Murray Darling System in times of extended drought events .

Another plus would fresh water Fishing utopia that close to Brisbane ,
an Eildon for Qnsland , Houseboats , Water-sports etc. a Fresh Water Tourist Mecca nearly rivalling Victoria !
Posted by Garum Masala, Monday, 31 January 2011 1:17:11 PM
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Raycom,
There are many, many, areas in Qld other than Brisbane affected by these floods. The wivenhoe release only affected Brisbane.

There are too many towns and areas to name that will need major infrastructure rebuilds. The media have only covered a handful.

Queensland will need the Commonwealth to fund many of these rebuilds.. Our backs were against the wall before the floods. Anna was selling anything she could find. I don't know where she would find the money for the massive task the floods have left us.
Posted by Sparkyq, Monday, 31 January 2011 6:19:57 PM
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