Piers Akerman over on the daily telegraph has posted a most logical piece regarding the Queensland and lets not forget the WA, NSW and Victorian floods. At such drastic times, it would not hurt to put current projects on hold and get our country back working again. Do you think that our current administration will have the bal... err fortitude to follow such sound advise?

http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/piersakerman/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/urgent_revision_of_fiscal_policies_needed_in_crisis/

Raw Mustard the gentleman you quote is a fool.
It is a fact he is even on his side of politics a joke, justly so.
However , surely, this tragic event, now in more than one state,just to be made good will see MORE NOT LESS SPENDING.
If this or any government was to consider for a second not rebuilding?
It would be un Australian to leave these folk in the mud.

Is the author of this article a personal friend of any mining executives I wonder?

I haven't read anywhere that the Government is not going to spend money to rebuild Queensland, and instead use all available money on the NBN project? What a bizarre concept!

At the end of the day, the horse has already bolted with the NBN.
If this NBN was canned now, there would be billions of dollars wasted on what infrastructure has already been paid for. We might as well see it through now.

I can't see how the Federal Government won't be bankrolling the flood affected areas of Queensland, when we get so much revenue from tourism in that state.
The mining companies can bankroll themselves quite well I imagine.

51 Million dollars already spent on extra social security payments it is unlikely Suzeonline.
RW is entrenched anti ALP but even he/she knows this tragic thing will take a lot of our money to fix, and in its way contribute to growth.
And existing infrastructure will continue, rather weak attempt to heave pebbles at the federal government.
Now, I again rattle the tin, we Australians gave 400 million it is said to other events, so far in out two biggest food retailers we gave two million.
One of those gave one million on its own, the other will match dollar for dollar until 24/1 lets get out there.
It is said those of us in other states, not QLD gave less than them, lets fix that up remember we are infected by politicians who slander other states, WA vs the rest ext, but we are one people, give if you can or stop saying you are an Aussie.
PS surely it is time for one fund for such as this, too many funds too many questions.
Salvos are getting one donation from me,the other is directed in a way I can not remember, more would give if it was known what happens to it.
Both major chains saw a donation from me better if it was one

Lets not forget the NBN is a 10 yr project. If these sort of things are going to happen more frequently maybe it is better to put money into more sustainable projects.

Don't be unkind, folks

Piers is simply maintaining

His reputation

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Raw Mustard the gentleman you quote is a fool.
"""

Why, because you don't agree with him?

Aren't you the one constantly telling everyone we have differing opinions and to respect others?

However , surely, this tragic event, now in more than one state,just to be made good will see MORE NOT LESS SPENDING.
"""

I don't think he was advocating less spending, Belly. More that we should be spending what little we have left on returning peoples lives to normal, many who have lost it all.

I know if I was one such unfortunate, I wouldn't give a damn about fiber optic cable to my mud filled tent.

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Lets not forget the NBN is a 10 yr project. If these sort of things are going to happen more frequently maybe it is better to put money into more sustainable projects.
"""

Exactly, 579. Like dams to help prevent it happening again and to capture water for when the droughts return!

Raw Mustard it has taken me years to know the bloke for what he is, do not deny me the right to a view shared by a great many.
And this country is not broke,we will suffer from this, but far more spending than the NBN will go on, while we spend a great deal on this.
It is a fact the costs will be shared,tax payers insurance, and we pay again with AT LEAST a 1% drop in our country's GDP.
I do get rude, try not to, but you RM delight in serving it up,cute one liners thrown as missiles, but you get up set on serve return.
I think you used this tragic event to settle political scores.
I remind readers this could be you,have you given yet Aussie?

I believe it is time we learned not to build towns and cities in flood plains and place levy banks as has Grafton and the cost to rebuild would be greatly reduced.

Philo quite a few have said that in the last two weeks.
But let us look closer at the towns you mention.
Brisbane was founded a very long time ago Grafton too.
Look back and you will see the rivers played a big part in building those city's there, and at the time.
Victoria is , this mornings media says, under water a very large percentage more than half.
Are we to abandon flood plains? even if, and it is true,some city's would never be rebuilt.
Are we to pull down city's and move them, can it be done?
Local government is run by developers and real estate sales men.
Maybe we need a law saying this land is flood prone in every sale.
More Queenslanders, maybe only in some areas.
But the best lands are indeed always in flood lands and no simplistic answers exist.
More dams for sure,but understand full dams must over flow and recent rain would have seen just that.

Suezyon line; if they stopped the NBN now the work that has been done
would not be wasted, it could be put to work and used.
Then perhaps over time more could be done.
A good move would be to link all non fibre towns with fibre to their
exchanges and stop at that point.
That would be the biggest bang for the dollar.

The biggest cost is running it past every house, perhaps 70% of the cost.

I think it ought to be the responsibility of Insurance Companies and housing Lenders to refuse cover or loans for housing in flood plains. That persons intending building in those areas do so at their own risk and finance. That City council regulate that living areas be above 1 in 50 year flood levels. There are high areas in Brisbane and Ipswich that are flood free. Commercial premises, Company offices and sporting fields could occupy river frontage but occupied areas must be 1 meter above 1 in 50 year flood levels. Lower levels be used for car parking etc.