Candide,
Actually I used to run a Headquarters Brigade out of Bowral in NSW and I have 2 sons fighting fires at the moment.
As for being a racist well you get a few runs on the board for that guess. I spent quite a few years on the right end of a m16A4 dealing with problems that now seek to take over my country but that's another story.
I guess when they line the racists up against the non-racists there won't be many brother lovers left to clutter up history.

Chris,

Before you go and paint Tones as such a jolly good fellow....you might like to keep in mind that his govt has just set about screwing the victims of the recent fires.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/nsw-bushfire-victims-denied-compensation-under-new-rules-20131026-2w80f.html

Regarding your racist slur:

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/iranian-refugee-firefighter-giving-back-to-a-sunburnt-country-20131023-2w235.html

"Mr Shirinia said he was working with an experienced and supportive crew, so while he was sometimes fearful, he never felt his life was in danger. He has put his hand up to return to the fires this Friday. ''I really wanted to do something to help other people. I know life is a very short period and one of the things that gives meaning to our lives is helping each other,'' he said."

Thanks for the odium, Chris....however, my advice is to take a few lessons from Mr Shirinia about common decency and humanity.

His attitude puts yours to shame.

Poirot,
One or two Muslims on the fireline does not cover for the rest of them. Just an aboration I would think. I wonder whose side he will be on when his brother devouts start cutting down the infidels?
You can peddle that crap about people being swindled out of compensation all you want but it doesn't wash.
Anybody who needs compensation gets it. All they have to do is prove they have no money of their own. A simple task
No money gets paid. Got money use your own.

Chris,

From the article:

"The day after bushfires tore through the area, the federal government tightened the rules for disaster payments leaving hundreds of residents who were forced to evacuate without any financial help.

Eligibility for payments, available in disasters such as the January Tasmanian fires, were changed on October 18, so residents who did not lose their homes but had to relocate for days at a time would not receive assistance."

"Under the previous rules, residents who were injured or killed, lost their house, had to leave their home for 24 hours or were without a utility for 48 hours received a one-off payment of $1000 for an adult and $400 for a child.

But the day after the bushfires started, the Justice Minister Michael Keenan signed a new determination which only applied to people who were seriously injured, killed or had their homes destroyed or severely damaged by the fires."

The day after the bushfires started....

So while Tones is strutting around getting photographed, his minions are cutting eligibility for help.

Regarding your bigotry.....well, it's just that.

Poirot,

"Under the previous rules, residents who were injured or killed, lost their house, had to leave their home for 24 hours or were without a utility for 48 hours received a one-off payment of $1000 for an adult and $400 for a child."

Under the previous rules (previous government that is).
Obviously it hasn't got home to you that this is a new government and not a socialistic politically motivated benevolent society.

There are plenty of Charities out there handing out whatever is needed and getting money of the taxpayer to do it.

Giving taxpayers cash away for the sake of votes doesn't wash mate.

There are thousands of homeless people in any city suffering the same hardships in the streets. Do you think they also qualify under your rules.

I was the disaster co-ordinater in the Tully Heads fiasco mate and even there Telstra was handing out free mobile phones while the Red Cross handed out free fuel cards.

Nobody misses out.

I also put hundreds of scammers before the courts for claiming $1000 relief payments in the Yasi cyclone.

You really need it you get it.

Chris,

You write:

"Under the previous rules (previous government that is).
Obviously it hasn't got home to you that this is a new government and not a socialistic politically motivated benevolent society.

There are plenty of Charities out there handing out whatever is needed and getting money of the taxpayer to do it.

Giving taxpayers cash away for the sake of votes doesn't wash mate.

There are thousands of homeless people in any city suffering the same hardships in the streets. Do you think they also qualify under your rules."

...........

You appear to have changed your tune - as when you were attempting to laud this govt's response to the bushfires, you posted this to Belly:

"Belly,
This is the stuff of leadership. Read it and understand that he really cares. I only hope he gets the army involved and the mass of unemployed dole bludgers as well.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/18/nsw-bushfires-tony-abbott-says-canberra-will-pay-half-cost-of-rebuilding
Posted by chrisgaff1000, Friday, 18 October 2013 10:02:01 PM"

Headline reads:

"NSW bushfires: Tony Abbott says Canberra will pay half cost of rebuilding

Prime minister pays tribute to 'ordinary people who, on an extraordinary day, come together to support their community'"

"Speaking after a briefing at the Winmalee fire station on Friday afternoon, the prime minister confirmed the standard disaster relief arrangements would apply in NSW, with Canberra “picking up at least 50% of the tab”.

Additional resources will also be available to the community through Centrelink, including a call centre for people affected by the fires."

..........

So those "additional resources" dried up fairly quickly for some who would have been eligible - the "day after the bushfires" the govt cuts the eligibility criteria.

And you wax lyrical about "benevolent societies" and "Giving taxpayers cash away for the sake of votes doesn't wash mate."

So your " Read it and understand that he really cares."

Loses some of its profundity in the wash-up.