What the hell is the government doing? Waiting for someone to donate money I suppose.

We have 2 great big ships, capable of rendering much humanitarian assistance in Indonesia twice, following natural disasters, & the Solomons following a man made disaster.

What are they doing sitting uselessly in Sydney, when there are at least 2 coastal communities with no electricity, no water & no help.

HMAS Manoora & HMAS Kanimbla can each desalinate enough water to supply a very large town. They have landing craft capable of landing army or civilian water trucks to distribute desperately needed water in areas not yet accessible by road. Why aren't they there?

Do we have anyone in Canberra capable of seeing past their navel, to realise these people need help. So far I have seen news conferences telling us someone has been appointed to do something, but what has happened. Not bl@@dy much by the looks of it.

I did hope we may be a bit better than the US was with Katrina, but so far it would not appear so.

Unless you have a nice big airport, so Julia, & Anna can fly in for a photo opportunity, don't hold your breath waiting for help folks, you aren't on the radar.

Hasbeen:

The PM has sent all 4,000 troops based in Townsville to aid North Queensland's recovery after the monster category storm. Extra police and State Emergency Service Personnel are also being sent to North Queensland. A ship carrying 2,750 tonnes of essential supplies has left for Tully. Volunteers from Victoria and Tasmania are also on their way. For your information, in the Brisbane flooding recovery when people were battling with filth and mud, there were 1,500 soldiers in Brisbane doing the work. Did you know that over 7,600 people were evacuated (and looked after) during this recent monster of a storm. I think that you've jumped the gun a bit here with your criticism - all that can be done is being done - and Anna Bligh has performed exceptionally under the difficult circumstances. As has the PM.

Lexi nothing you say can stop the ideas that in some way it is federal governments fault these events took place.
Now those complaining are the few but they never consider the costs pain and just how much its impacts will be worse before better.
If we send the Navy,plus every Manly ferry,and we find a need for them here some will kick the can about that too.
Have a great day hasbeen.

We have coastal communities who, in days after the event, have still received no help at all.

We have the army picking up sticks, in some less damaged towns, because they can't access those who are most in need of help, due to flood cut roads. These are beach front towns, accessible by landing craft from our ships.

We have the first people from the outside world into these communities are the media, & their camera crews. Just what are emergency services doing, if the media can drive in.

We have ships that are set up to carry & support 400 army people, & all their equipment sitting idle. Strangely we could get these ships to overseas disasters. They carry helicopters, have medical centers, communications designed as head quarters & control centers, & most of the things required. Why do we only use them to help other countries?

Belly you are sick. Anyone who can defend the current operation, has a perception problem, that only sees sunlight where this disorganised rabble are concerned.

Get well soon, & pray you never need help.

Tony Abbott visited along with 'what's his name' the Qld State opposition leader. It is uncertain what was the outcome of that apart from the usual foolish baiting of Gillard to let him (Abbott) advise on cuts - which, given Tony Abbott's statements at the election and since would fall heavily on disability pensioners as a first priority. Tony bounces between very narrow rails.

Anything seen of those seat-polishing Greens senators and specifically Bob Brown? Or are they contributing to green house gasses elsewhere with their diatribes and first class air flights?

Hasbeen:

You tell Belly that he's sick - well how about putting your money where your mouth is? If you're sincere and really want to do something constructive instead of simply stirring on a Forum, venting your spleen, and criticising (that's easy, achieves nothing, and anybody can do it)- Email the PM with your questions and suggestions:
The Hon. Julia Gillard, MP at:

http://www.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm

Worth a try - and at least you'd be doing more than just mouthing off.
You might even get a reply.