How Anna Bligh, politician, acted just like a human

Phil says:

07:08am | 14/01/11

John Agree completely and with David. I am by far one of Labors biggest detractors but Bligh has done a great job. As have many of the polititions. Gillard looked either out of her depth or lacking empathy as you said. Even Tony Abbott did not try to point score. Keneally doesnt appear as on the ball as Bligh, maybe its the fumes from the hair dye.

I dont know whether if I could vote in their state elections I would give her another nod, but she has swayed my perception that is might be possible to be a member of the labor party, a politiion and human at the same time. Kevin Rudd has been MIA.

On another topic, mentioned to a labor voting friend (one of 3 that I know) that if Gillard came out and said we need to be responsible, lets go with the libs idea of a great big satelite for say 5B for fast porn and lets spend the money rebuilding the country and revisit the NBN in its current form in 2020 when we can afford it, I recon she might get 2 more terms at least. He agreed, and most commentators here no my dislike for Gillard, Duck and co.

KH says:

07:15am | 14/01/11

Oh here we go - she doesn’t have children therefore she doesn’t care?  What a load of crap.  I can’t tell how sick to death I am of hearing that.  I don’t have children, but I would give my own life for my niece and nephew, who are the best two things in my life.  How dare people keep making the assertion that I have no feelings. How dare you insult me and others who can’t or won’t have children for whatever reason, implying that we are somehow lesser people.  Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

No one is sure what role Gillard is meant to be in here - she looks awkward because she doesn’t know what that role is either.  Its QLD that is in trouble, and its premier is the one expected to step up, which she is doing.  Despite this articles’ premise, I doubt there is any ‘plan’ behind it - she is obviously winging it.  The PM can only offer support, and probably money - but that is just about it - otherwise, what else would you expect her to be doing?  Instead of having a go, maybe you can make some constructive suggestions as to exactly what you think she should be doing.  She can hardly make herself the focus, and she is obviously trying not to.  It would be a difficult role to be in right now, and I can’t imagine any other PM past who would do anything much better or worse.

Super D says:

07:27am | 14/01/11

Can only agree with you.  The contrast between Bligh and Gillard was stark. 

Gillard would clearly rather be doing something else.  Perhaps in a classroom watching children learn to read?

Pete from Sydney says:

08:30am | 14/01/11

Bollocks, it’s not an easy situation for anyone, Gillard has done as good a job as she could under the circumstances, Anna Bligh has been great…and Tony Abbott has done okay as well…the only politicial point scoring is being done by some of the respondants to penbo’s column

Daemon says:

08:34am | 14/01/11

Actually Phil, that is quite unfair and demonstrates a badly spelt somewhat myopic view of the facts as you seem to want to see then re: Kevin Rudd.

There may have been some camera work involved in him laying sandbags in Oxford Street, Bulimba, or going from house to house making sure people in Griffith were OK, particularly elderly folk he knew about, but, mate, I’m yet to see any of the footage on television.

I do however agree with you re: Gillard - an automaton looking totally out of her comfort zone giving a woman a hug at an evacuation centre, surrounded by cameras (as usual) and still being sold as a bill of goods by the Joe Ludwigs of the world, who I think rate somewhere around used car salesmen from Motor Finance Wizard, on the trustworthy stakes.

Rob r Charteris says:

08:43am | 14/01/11

John C says:05:25am; good to see you blinded by the truth eh’ you would know if you had a carrot stuck up where ya mother probably shouldn’t have but did kiss you and you liked it. Another lib wanker ranting on dribble dribble snivel snivel

Susan M says:

09:21am | 14/01/11

Bligh has shone ~ really, how exactly? I thought that was part of the job as Premier, to inform the nation and us about what has and is happening. My family and I in Toowoomba feel no comfort from her crocodile tears either.

Yes, Julia Gillard was uninspiring to say the least. I mean, having to actually read words such as “there are dark times ahead” and “we will be there shoulder to shoulder helping out” What a load of BS. But, she could have cried as well…would have made no difference to us.

But, you are right about Rudd ~ at least physically doing something and speaking from the heart.

Personally, I think politicians love a disaster neary as much as the bloody media. Anything for some face time to increase the profile.

Back to Anna Lie..oh sorry I mean Anna Bligh. When you can all start saying she has done a great job, is when everything has been done and life is back to as normal as possible for us, the people affected, and the vast amounts of money donated to “The Premiers Appeal” are transparently given to the people who they were meant for…not bureacrats sitting in helicopters or sleeping in dry and warm beds each night making decisions to keep themselves in jobs!

That’s just an opinion from someone stuck in the middle of all this disaster…and I know I’m not alone.

Ben C says:

09:31am | 14/01/11

@ Daemon - he was on TV, Wednesday night, ABC News 24. A lengthy segment where he was being interviewed while he was on the streets helping people either move things or making sure residents were OK, encouraging them to leave their homes and get to safety.

As much as I hate Rudd, I felt that being on the ground and helping with the evacuation and clean-up exhibited a human side that we hardly ever see.

Agree completely about Gillard though, she has been a far from convincing leader - she seems so out of touch with the situation. The majority of her appearances have been at emergency shelters, where she tries to look like she cares, but it doesn’t look good at all. Especially with that annoying drone of hers saying, “G’day, how are you?”

The standout definitely has been Bligh, everyday I see her on TV it looks as though she’s been co-ordinating rescue and relief efforts and hasn’t seen her bed or shower at all. Physically, mentally and emotionally, she looks spent, but she keeps fronting the cameras, updating everyone about the situation - even if she does get voted out, she can hold her head up high with her efforts here.

Richard says:

09:32am | 14/01/11

Susan M- considering the makeup of the state economy i do suspect there may be a few bureacrats that need some assistance, especially considering the areas flooded- or does an expensive house preclude one from recieveing any assistance?

This is only part of the story, Anne has done a good job as a leader through the crisis but the rebuilding is just as important.

True Believer says:

09:37am | 14/01/11

As one from another state I think the Queensland people should be proud of their Premier.  She has been tireless in keeping people informed as circumstances change. Her emotional moment I believe for what it is worth came from her being a feeling, caring human being.  I admire politicians who show how they feel,  the men too.  Telling people not to show emotion is to de-humanize them and sadly that is a message many Australian men have bought. 

I cannot imagine what sort of person would not be moved by what has happened and continues to happen.

People seem to be cruel about our PM. I will admit she does tend to come across as rather stilted, I think that is just her personality not an indication that she cares any less about our nation than any other caring, compassionate person.  She also is responsible for the whole of Australia and the dispersal of resources, finances etc so it is quite a big job she has.

On Kevin Rudd, the footage of him assisting people has been shown in my state on television several times I believe has been helping out 14 hours a day.  On the nasty barb by one poster that he was just carrying one suitcase. Perhaps that writer may take into account that the man has had heart-valve surgery. It is so easy to be an armchair critic and to make harsh judgement. Is this the time for that?

The people for whom I have no regard, but only contempt, are those who are looting, those going from house to house (even in my state) scamming money from people as they pretend to be representing an organisation collecting money for the flood survivors.  Those people deserve our harshest judgement.

I have been gladdened to see how much Australians have pulled alongside their neighbours, put their own needs and loss aside to help another. That is true character, something that in times of greed, selfishness and cynicism are sadly absent.  Good to see that in many of our citizens good qualities still abound.

How about, instead of criticizing, judging and being mean about our politicians, we say a prayer for those who are suffering so horribly.  If you do not pray, spare a thought for these folks If you are unable to roll up your sleeves and help, open your wallets and purses.  Cynicism does no one any good, least of all the cynic. :0)

Wilson says:

10:25am | 14/01/11

TO :

KH says:07:15am | 14/01/11

UM. who said anything about chilidren?

Brutus says:

11:15am | 14/01/11

Gillards biggest decision is her Lunch Menu,which she never misses obviously,her lack of empathy and emotionless drawl is a snapshot into this baron selfish woman and I bag Labor at every turn but Bligh has done well and wish her luck

KH says:

11:41am | 14/01/11

Wilson - “I suspect this is because Gillard’s whole adult life has been politics rather than community or family”

This is a thinly veiled reference to the fact she does not have children and isn’t married.

Ted says:

12:01pm | 14/01/11

The concern I have with Gillard is her behaviour during an early appearance on Bligh’s 2 hourly updates. WHY did she start smiling, which she then obviously tried to suppress, while the brilliant Bligh was talking about missing and dead people. Maybe her ambulance chasing lawyer instincts or distraction spin queen instincts were kicking in????

KH stop being paranoid. The no kids victim cry is more Labor spin. Get over it. The rerligous slander and lies they span at the opposition was vile by comparison.

Shirley Schramm says:

12:21pm | 14/01/11

If Anna was so concern she should do something about the Insurance Companies.. I can not believe they dont cover for floods or tsunami’s..If they wont do anything about the companies then the government should be the one paying for it all then.. We pay enough taxes and rates to not recieve anything from them…

Why the hell not, its not like we have floods every couple of years..I am totally disgusted with the multi millions insurance companies recieve from us..I personally will be removing my policy and looking for another that will cover my property..
I feel so deeply sorry for the queenslanders who have lost everything..

James1 says:

01:22pm | 14/01/11

I noticed Gillard struggling to conceal a smile as well, Ted.  WTF is that?

As a former Queenslander, I would also like to register my pride in my home state and its premier.

john says:

01:39pm | 14/01/11

Anna cried and sounded like it was the end of the world…’‘remember who we are…we are Queenslanders” http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/blighs-tearfilled-cry-we-are-queenslanders-20110113-19oxt.html
...she might know something we don’t…..
Global Flood toll,  Australia 15, Rio de Janeiro 500 ,Sri-lanka 27 & millions displaced. New Caledonia is under threat from a cyclone & Mt Etna has erupted, not to mention Animal Die-Offs Are Happening Around The Globe http://fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com/2011/01/08/global-animal-die-off/
http://www.popfi.com/2011/01/05/animal-die-offs-are-happening-around-the-globe/

Anna, joolya, kevin need new hairs styles because their hair look like those clones from deal or no deal.

wil says:

01:57pm | 14/01/11

@ KH

Please consider the possibility that you are projecting your struggles onto this evaluation of Gillard. I was amazed at her utterly clinical and falsely sincere response to the floods when she first went on national TV. She displayed manufactured feeling rather than a tempered but visceral response to the humanity of the situation. This is not the sign of a leader.

Kika says:

02:59pm | 14/01/11

That’s a bit rich. Just because a woman doesn’t have children doesn’t mean she has no heart.

Chris L says:

07:46pm | 14/01/11

I tend to lead toward the left, but I voted against the captain. Having seen her reaction and, far more importantly, witnessed her commitment and drive, I think more highly of our premier now. That doesn’t mean she gets a free ride from now on, but I think we can say “Job well done…. so far”.

PS. TB, it disturbs me when I agree with you. Let’s argue!

Caz says:

01:58pm | 15/01/11

I couldn’t agree with you more John C and almost everybody I speak to agrees!

J.K says:

02:01pm | 15/01/11

the floods are not about Anna Bligh or Julia Glillard, it’s about helping our fellow aussies getting the help they need asap.Anna Bligh is doing a fantastic job as is everybody else here.
please leave politics out of this.
There only one thing that’s gets to me (i’m sick of hearing the word Queenslander) I thought we were all Aussies

Chris L says:

11:19pm | 14/01/11

I’d honestly like to know what the LNP would do better. Seriously, what are their plans for the state?

Christian Real says:

02:41pm | 15/01/11

Why did Tony Abbott wait until after New Years day before he even made a visit to some of the flooded areas in Queensland, Gillard and Bligh at lest cut their holidays short to be there for Queenslanders.
And where was Queenslands State Opposition LNP Leader, he has simply been invisible throughout the floods in this State
National Party Leader Warren Truss didn’t seem to put in any appearance when Maryborough and Gympie both were flooded and both are in his electorate of Wide Bay.
Chris L says:” I’d honestly like to know what the LNP would do better.
seriously,what are their plans for the State?
Chris, I feel that I can confidently say that the LNP would do nothing and that they would also have no real plans for the State, not now or in the near future either.
The Absence of the LNP State Opposition Leader,and the non appearance of Member for Wide bay Warren Truss during this period of floods and tragedy,show that they are not prepared to break away from their Christmas and New Year celebrations for anyone or anything, not even floods.

acker says:

07:53am | 14/01/11

Speaking about trips, how come Julia Bishop turned up in Brisbane a couple of days ago as Acting Opposition Leader ??? I know he turned up yesterday but where was Tony Abbott ?? Overseas ??

stevie says:

08:20am | 14/01/11

Just one little thing you are forgetting - he’s not the Prime Minister nor the Premier of Queensland.

acker says:

08:47am | 14/01/11

I’m not forgetting anything and by the way Nixon was not a Premier or Prime Minister either…he is a public political party leader and I think it is just as relevant when talking about where Bligh was New Years Eve to discuss where Tony Abbott was early this week

Aaron says:

08:56am | 14/01/11

But Stevie, he is the Opposition Leader of a Minority Federal Government which means he has just as much responsibility as the PM

KH says:

09:31am | 14/01/11

Stevie - and one thing you are forgetting, is that Abbott paints himself as ‘shadow PM’- overseas trips (how confusing must that be for foreign leaders - hes not the PM, so who the hell is he?), any state events he seems to be standing there right next to the ‘real’ PM, and ponces around like he is the PM. Yet, here, when it matters, he was no where to be seen.  Sure, keep a low profile, but no profile?  That is a fair question, given his general behaviour.  Its not like anyone expects him to do anything specifically, but at least be seen to show some empathy and support.

Ben C says:

09:39am | 14/01/11

@ acker - Nixon was the Police Commissioner for Victoria during Black Saturday - she had one of the most important jobs on the ground. Yes, Abbott should be making more of an appearance, but put their jobs into perspective.

notsurprised says:

10:36am | 14/01/11

Well, the cheap shots have come out for the left! Guaranteed if TA had spoken up over this disaster you’d be crying out that he’s only trying to claim it as opportunity to bash. Whereas your golden girl came across with as much empathy as a battery powered toy running low on voltage.

acker says:

12:14pm | 14/01/11

@notsurprised ..I’m actually on the right. If the original poster is going to judge Bligh celebrating a birthday in Sydney for one night during the prolonged flood crisis, then Abbott should be judged for his lack of attendance early this week, in the same light.

CQer says:

02:05pm | 14/01/11

Actually, TA was out visiting Emerald before the other pollies, back when central Qld was the first area affected… it’s just regional Qld hasn’t had near the media attention that SE Qld has. Nor would the (Labor leaning) media give as much air time to the opposition leader as to Bligh/Gillard. As a Central Queenslander, I am quite disappointed that we are being hailed as the future saviours of the State (with the gas plant at Curtis Island/Gladstone) to bring in much revenue for the State. Yet when it comes to rebuilding we will be lowest on the list of the State’s priorities (our hospitals come lower on the list of priorities then building unnecessary floating foot bridges!) . BTW (sorry to be so cynical) but has there been any guarantee that the funds raised by the Premier’s appeal will go directly to the victims?? My support has gone to local charities guaranteeing it’s path directly to those affected.

Tom: says:

02:20pm | 14/01/11

The whole tone of the article plus the blogs have been one ghoulish, sicko attempt by the Labor cheer squad to cash in on Queenslanders’ misfortune for their own political profit. Shame on the lot of you. You are very nasty people.

Mark says:

03:50pm | 14/01/11

Blight and Labor ran this state into the ground. So when will the first journlaist ask why there weren’t more dams built that could have averted much of this? Oh wait, they couldn’t fawn over Bligh and her press conferences. This is the mark of a goood leader is it? Bankrupt the state, but if you speak well in your pressers then all is good. She needs to go and go quickly.

acker says:

04:55pm | 14/01/11

@Mark ..I am all for more Dam’s ..that is an issue the public needs to pursue mainly by ceasing it’s current love of the Anti Dam Greens, and by working to rid the High Court of dissent just for the sake of dissent Judges such as Michael Kirby. Perhaps we should accept High Court Judges from outside just legal circles and invite engineers, scientists, doctors and economists to become High Court Judges

Jack says:

07:44am | 15/01/11

Acker, 7.53am comment , the pair were together in Brisbane yesterday.  Saw them on the T.V.  Very uniformed and misleading comment.

Christian Real says:

02:55pm | 15/01/11

Stevie
Tony Abbott could have at lest showed that he has even a little bit of compassionate caring in his soul, but he didn’t, was he too busy celebrating the Christmas and New year to even bother to break away from his holiday to visit the flooded areas in the State or Queensland,it would seem so.
I haven’t been wrong about anyone yet, and I feel that Tony Abbott only really cares about himself and political point scoring when ever he can.
Also where was Queensland’s LNP State Opposition Leader,perhaps he was either too busy celebrating Christmas and New Year or maybe he just didn’t want to get his feet wet.
And Stevie, Tony Abbott has put himself forward as the Alternative Prime Minister, should he ever get elected by people foolish enough to vote for him.
It’s time that he stood up to the plate also and show people that he has the balls to do the job should he ever become Prime Minister.

Gregg says:

12:36am | 16/01/11

@Mark
” Blight and Labor ran this state into the ground. So when will the first journlaist ask why there weren’t more dams built that could have averted much of this? “
There may not have been some brilliant Labor governance in Queensland but a lot of it was left over for Anna from l Pie Face himself, Pumpkin Pete Beatie.
Anna has in fact made some pretty tough decisions re selling off some assetts like QR that has her in the gun, even with the Unions but the state of the state, the GFC and drop off in tourism has not given her too many options and you have to adnire her for sticking to her guns on that at least.

As for More Dams, another Dam is really questionable for you do really need a particular topography and ground conditions for a sizable dam and the Wivenhoe is about as far dopwn the Brisbane River as you can get for suitable topography for the Brisbane, Lockyer and Bremer River Valleys kind of spread out a bit.
What came down the Lockyer was coming off the Toowoomba saddle in the dividing range and I suppose you may be able to find somewhere higher up the Lockyer Valley for a smaller dam but you then had a massive rainfall period throughout the whole area including over the Wivenhoe catchment.
The Wivenhoe was already pretty full and so it only had so much more it could hold and did get up close to 200% of its normal maximum holding level, the 200% being near tops with water right to the top of the dam wall.
This situation could quite easily repeat next week, next month or even in March or February if the wrong weather pattern re-emerges and they haven’t been able to discharge enough water down the river to create more holding capacity. 
If you have a look at the major flood frequency about the time of the 1893 record, it could be not just Anna that will be knackered!
http://www.bom.gov.au/hydro/flood/qld/fld_history/brisbane_history.shtml
Ok, so what can Brisbane do to prevent repeats, short of running Wivenhoe on near empty, getting the desal plant going reliably and water restrictions indefinitely for everyone until another desal plant is constructed, and another!

The simple answer is a floodwater bypass and the solution though costly but probably a bargain when you consider the flooding fallout is relatively simpler in principle than one would think:

. Tunnelling equipment ex Airport Access could be used
. To minimise tunnelling suitable locations for an entry up stream of the Brisbane CBD and downstream of Gateway Bridge need selection and something like a weir with overflow to an inlet pondage and an exit pondage would need to be constructed, a bit of open cut mining for both likely needed.
. Size/number of tunnels could match flow of Wivenhoe discharge.
. A secondary inlet and branch tunnel could run in from the Bremer River too.
I’ve seen a report that some of the Airport Access Tunnel equipment is supposedly to be buried UG because of economics of retrieval and if that is so, it’d be a crying shame when you think of the great use it could be put too.

Hopefully Anna and Can Do can work together even if it is her Swan song and squeeze some funding from Gillard and Co for at least an investigation into the feasibility of something like that, the Swan also a Queenslander and holding the bank vault combination, but as I say, it is a relatively straightforward possibility with UG tunnels some 35 km. in length providing for a gravity flow.

acker says:

08:41am | 16/01/11

@Jack ...check your facts sport !
“Acting Opposition Leader Julie Bishop, who received a briefing from police in Brisbane on Wednesday”
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/gillard-visits-floodhit-brisbane-20110112-19n36.html

Syl says:

09:29am | 14/01/11

Considering the point is that she may have “inadvertently done herself the greatest electoral favour of all”, i.e. acted like herself, didnt TRY to score political points and has come out looking better than she did before because of it, yes it is acceptable.

It’s a reasonable assertion.  I fail to see your point.

Amber says:

09:46am | 14/01/11

Curries in her favour?

Michael says:

12:56pm | 14/01/11

Well said Syl. Clutching at straws there Mirror.

Matt says:

02:07pm | 14/01/11

I think it’s curries in her flavour…

Jim says:

02:34pm | 14/01/11

Yes Syl,

Because she’s taking no advice from Labour party spin doctors on presentation at all.  Naive at all?

Syl says:

04:05pm | 14/01/11

Jim

I didn’t say I agreed, (although I think you may be being a tad pessimistic), especially considering I am NOT a labor/labour supporter. I just said that the assertion was acceptable and reasonable.  Reading comprehension is a great tool.

I believe she has done extremely well in her handling of this issue and I honestly don’t believe the labour spin doctors would have the subtelty to handle this situation as well as she has.  She seems genuine.  I am by no means a fan of hers, but it’s nice to see a Premier seemingly putting politics aside for the good of her people.
Even if the labour spin doctors are “coaching” her, she, and they, are doing a great job of keeping people informed and keeping spirits reasonably high (considering).  This is a good thing.

Do not let political ideology blind you and prevent you from fairly judging the other side.  Sometimes it doesnt hurt to give people the benefit of the doubt.

Jim says:

04:46pm | 14/01/11

Syl,

Don’t let your own preconceived biased judgements cloud your vision.

I have no political affiliation.

Who’s the fool now?

Syl says:

05:52pm | 14/01/11

“Who’s the fool now?”  I wasn’t aware I’d called you a fool….  I guess reading comprehension really isn’t your strong suit.

My apologies Jim, the line “Labour spin doctors” would seem to suggest otherwise, perhaps I was wrong.  How exactly do I have preconceived bias judgments?  That phrase is something trotted out by every right wing supporter Ive ever spoken to, I made a judgement based on evidence given.  No need for name calling, many of us fortunately grew out of that in primary school.

Of course the fact that you didn’t actually reply to the main point of my post (the fact that your “preconceived bias judgments” led you to believe certain things about my opinion) kinda says more about you than me.

P.S. A general rule of thumb when discussing/arguing is the first to resort to insults generally doesn’t have an opinion they can back up.  You lack of a helpful reply helped prove this.  Congratulations.

Chris L says:

11:27pm | 14/01/11

Carefull Syl. If you beat them with logic they’ll have no choice but to compare you to Hitler.

Ironside says:

07:07am | 14/01/11

Nosthow, are you serious? I know you’re a died in the wire labor supporter but you think Anna Bligh is going to be around for years? She will be lucky to make it to the election, it may well be that only the floods and her credible performances on TV will save her that long. Lets not forget that there were no tears of exhaustion on New Years Eve when she left the state to go and party in NSW (in a free ride on the PM’s jet no less, how that’s not fraud to use a commonwealth asset for personal travel I will never know, but I would love to see her fringe benefits tax statement at the end of the year)
Also while Campbell Newman has been wonderful visits by other senior politicians to the state are nothing more than photo ops, Gillard was wooden and rehearsed, and looked like she was on her way to a funeral (seriously what was with all the shoulder padding in that black jacket?) Abbot while better on camera than Gillard had no real reason to be their other than a photo opp. Also while I am pleasantly surprised that Kevin Rudd was helping out in his electorate, to call him a hero is a bit of a stretch.
Once the emergency is over and people start the clean up, they will remember all of Bligh’s broken promises and out right lies. It will be worse when people approach the state government for help and get nothing, how many years do you think it will be before some of those remote roads and bridges that were destroyed in remote parts of Queensland are repaired, and what will the people who rely on them do? All because Bligh doesn’t really care about the state outside of South East Qld and is only interested in getting re-elected just like every other politician in the Labor party

Andrew says:

07:18am | 14/01/11

Anna Bligh, totally focused on the job at hand, well done! Gillard, a robot trotting out rehearsed lines and smiles and still looking and sounding like a robot trying to improve her polling. No comparison to Anna Bligh, only a stark contrast!

steve says:

07:35am | 14/01/11

In reading this I can just here John Williams quietly off camera singing “True Blue”.

locky says:

08:02am | 14/01/11

Finially a decent post

Macca says:

08:03am | 14/01/11

No political pointscoring in this post Nosthow, is that a first?

Kudos to you

Rabscallion says:

08:50am | 14/01/11

Ms Gillard has shown how difficult it is for her to relate to the Australian people. Without sounding harsh, Ms Gillard lacks a warmth, a vulnerability you would expect a leader to provide in this situation. However, Premier Bligh has been wonderful. Warm, caring, stoic and human. Ms Gillard’s spin doctors could learn how Australian’s want their leader to react in these types of natural disasters.
God Bless Queensland.

Susan M says:

09:39am | 14/01/11

You MUST be joking right? Yes, that’s it…you’re obviously taking the piss.

We all live in Australia, and if I hear one more bloody comment about proud Queenslanders; built tougher north of the border etc. I think I will vomit…again.

I can only assume your praise means you work for the Lie govenment in some capacity, and that you have not been personally affected by the current disaster as we are?

I really must stop reading comments such as these, only making the past few days seem even worse and the future more terrifying…

BobM says:

10:55am | 14/01/11

@Rabscallion - ‘MsGillard’s spin doctors could learn how Australian’s want their leader to react in these types of natural disasters’.  WTF ! Perhaps Ms Gillard herself should know how to react to the human suffering without her spin doctor’s advice. She is appalling and an embarrassment. The best her spin doctors could do for all of us is to take out the batteries and put her back in the box. She wouldn’t know a real emotion ever, even if one hit her on the head! Anna on the other hand, has put in an Oscar winning performance…..

Jim says:

10:56am | 14/01/11

I think it’s a long bow to call any of the politicians heros but the Premier and Lord Mayor in particular have done their jobs very well and should be commended. Abbott has stayed out of it as he ought to. As for Gillard, surely the PM does have a role but I am not sure that she knows what it should be; I’m sure that she will have a task force convened to give it some consideration.

One final question - where’s the Governor and the Governor General. Both MIA.

pelu says:

08:06am | 15/01/11

Ironside, time for your medicine. Come on! Don’t argue! Cheers,

Jay says:

09:01am | 16/01/11

Jim,  where is the Governor General?
I suggest you get on the website and you will find Quinton Bryce and her husband have been quietly visiting the flood areas for weeks, apparantly without the media hangerons.

jim says:

12:43pm | 16/01/11

Jay says: 09:01am | 16/01/11

Oh, so she’s not on holiday with her family? And, if not the media has declined to talk to, photograph or film the G-G during the devastating Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley and Brisbane floods? Because?

If the G-G isn’t in the public eye doing something during a time like this then what on earth is their role?

Dave says:

08:43am | 14/01/11

So True. Gillard was smiling most of the time as she talked to the cameras! Like this is all just some big party or something. Gillard = Mug. Anna Bligh has been great, she’s regained a lot of cred in my books.

Please remember - to be a QLD’er means to pull together in times like this. Please be sure to donate either money or your time, not just carp from the sidelines about Anna and Julia! (though carping about Julia’s a great passtime)

Richard says:

02:32pm | 14/01/11

Maybe that’s just what Gillard needs: a huge Australia wide natural disaster for her to take charge of and show us her human side.

Here’s hoping for all our sakes that doesn’t happen though.

Macca says:

03:47pm | 14/01/11

@Richard, for us to see Kevin Rudd’s human side he had to be removed as Prime Minister….

Rob r Charteris says:

08:39am | 14/01/11

thinks of brisbane says:07:12am; The way rAbbott, Barnaby and Bishop have been carrying on has been sickening, one simply turns off the TV when they come on. It shows the true character of a person willing to try and score political points during such a tragedy. It cements the reason why he and his bunch of lowlifes are in opposition. The only reason why Bishop went up to QLD was to get her silly cross eyed face on TV.

Jane says:

09:00am | 14/01/11

Are you trying to say Gillards performance was any better? Noticed you couldn’t even bring yourself to mention her.

Paul says:

11:04am | 14/01/11

Charteris’s comments are out of line.
Senator Barnaby Joyce was sandbagging and working like a beaver for days at St George. Obviously, once or twice news cameras sought him out, as they did many other people. Any opposition pollie who makes a comment can too easily be accused of using the tragedy for their own political gain… but if they don’t visit and don’t see for themselves they would be derelict in their duty.

acker says:

03:40pm | 14/01/11

Look Charteris ..crawl back in your shell cobber, Barnaby has been doing an exemplary job helping others locally in St George, even Rudd acknowledged that, and Julie Bishop crossed the country to be on deck in Brisbane.

Bruce says:

11:57pm | 14/01/11

Drew: Agree; Its one thing for a politician to look good in the face of natural disasters, and another thing to look good in the face of politics, good management and economics.

CaBaCurL says:

09:19am | 14/01/11

“With Australian men known for stoic strength and dependability, I would have taken inspiration from more male voices….”

(Sharp intake of breathe… counting to 10 slowly)  Oh Brenda….give me strength….having stoic strength & dependability are non-gender-specific qualities.

Sigh…....

Brenda says:

09:50am | 14/01/11

I haven’t noticed too many gender-balanced women politicians doing any filthy dirty heavy lifting this week.
We’re more likely to see a tough Australian risking his life hanging out of a helicopter and lifting people to safety and equally as dangerous, diving the murky waters, than we are of the female gender.

Give them credit where credit is due.

It’s not all about women, but observing the pitiful three incompetent women Bligh, Gillard and Kenneally, I truly don’t think they’re any advertisement for feminine dependability. They are an embarrassment.

The Black Knight says:

09:58am | 14/01/11

The Brisbane River Flood Study was commissioned by the Brisbane city council and had nothing to do the the state government.

Governments by there nature do not act unfortunately until after the event. Joh’s government didn’t build the Wivenhoe Dam until after the ‘74 flood. Despite the fact that Wivenhoe being set a side as a dam site for decades.

Lizzie says:

10:07am | 14/01/11

Brenda.. have you and I been watching the same press conferences? I’ve seen Bligh defer to the male officers time and again when appropriate to the question asked.
As for your “With Australian men known for stoic strength and dependability, I would have taken inspiration from more male voices”  Really? Why does it have to be a male voice to be credible? It would take me too long to list the women who are/have shown “inspiration”. I assume you’d rather have a woman read the news to us too.
And you say “Public empathy is something that we women do very well, but competent leaders it does not make.”  Really, you can’t think of any female competent leaders?
My politics are irrelevant and in this case so are theirs, but please, they’re female and doing as good if not better a job than some of the men.  We’ve come a long way in the last 20 years.  Don’t do the sisterhood down Brenda!
Final word. What does it matter which sex someone is if they are doing their best to cope with and offer assistance in this tragic event. Thoughts and prayers to all, sufferers and helpers alike.

Brenda says:

12:18pm | 14/01/11

I choose not to belong to what is described as “the sisterhood”. 
The declining male teacher presence in classrooms is also regrettable.  So many youngsters from homes where there’s no male role model, and notably so little recognition for the heavy lifting and physically dangerous missions that males are particularly capable of, and are dependably, stoically doing, amongst all this catastrophe.

Men do have a particular set of strengths that we women don’t, and they should be valued.  Standing behind a microphone, safely delivering flood news doesn’t come within a bull’s roar of the things that Australian men are out there doing on the front line.  Anna Bligh is not trained and I would prefer to hear from those who are.  Anna Bligh’s performance behind the microphone is not a qualification for re-election.
There’s a disproportionate number of women behind news desks and microphones.  Men deliver the news, they don’t play a role in it as do many of the ladies who seem to think they’re playing in some pantomine.

Lizzie I agree, Mrs Bligh does defer occasionally, but it’s all too brief before officers are interrupted. Her style towards the senior officers has been borderline demeaning.
Competent women leaders:  I would certainly rule out:  Anna Bligh, Julia Gillard, Christina Kenneally, Cheryl Kernot, Carmen Lawrence, Joan Kirner, Kirstie Marshall, Belinda Neal and the unforgettable one famous for economic mis-management via her whiteboard - Ros Kelly.

Colin says:

09:20am | 14/01/11

Indeed, the Premier showed real leadership. One can only wonder, however, why she chose to avoid appearing with Cambell Newman at joint press conferences. He was as equally impressive as Anna Bligh and it would have sent a reassuring message of solidarity to the general public to see the Lord Mayor and Premier standing shoulder to shoulder.

CJ Morgan says:

01:09pm | 14/01/11

Good point, Colin.  This is not a time for political enmity.

Malex says:

04:19pm | 14/01/11

I don’t think it is a point of them not being at the same press conferences.  From what I have seen they are working wonderfully together.

Anna has taken the lead roll, being the state premier and Campbell pops up when he has Brisbane specific stuff to deal with.

My impression is that its more of a “too many chefs spoil the broth” situation.  It has seemed that they have decided that having both there could lead to a conflict of who answers what, therefore they appear seperately and deal wtih seperate things.

It also means Campbell has had a lot more time to focus on his job of rebuilding Brisbane.  And planning for the issues Brisbane will be facing over the next day.

That process won’t start for Anna until the waters have subsided.

Tell It LIke It Is says:

08:36am | 14/01/11

Rudd’s ‘performance’ was comical. Reminds me of those ‘how many men’ jokes. So ‘how many men does it take to carry a medium sized suitcase containing belongings of a flood victim?’ Answer: TWO: One ponchy,  political has-been and one to carry the camera, while walking backwards through the flood waters AND asking the right question -“how long have you been out here?”- just in case we thought it was simply a photo opportunity. Imagine how much the probably much fitter and stronger cameraman could have helped if he had not been burdened with carrying the camera to focus on KRUDD!

NicoleG says:

09:11am | 14/01/11

That untrue and really unfair. What about the things Rudd was doing that wasn’t captured on camera? My nephew was out on Wednesday night, at some ungodly hour sandbagging and guess who was there two? Kevin Rudd. No cameras, no media, just Rudd, sleeves rolled up, pants rolled up helping. And I think Anna Bligh has done an excellent job. I know everyone keeps saying ‘oh it’s her job’, but seriously, she’s human and has feelings too. Well done I say.

The Badger says:

10:56am | 14/01/11

Thank you for providing that example Nicole
It is refreshing to know that there are some who aren’t so blinded by their partisanship that they see everything through a cynics eye.

Vaunted says:

10:42am | 15/01/11

Couldn’t agree more Tom. By recent performances it would seem that our recent Federal Labor leaders are merely the manufactured products of some kind of spin-doctor’s sausage machine designed solely for electoral success. Unfortunately the products, all bright and shiny plastic on the outside, on close examination tend to be rather more stodgy on the inside.

Your name:Kelvin says:

09:03pm | 14/01/11

I agree Anna Bligh has performed exceptionally well as has Campbell Newman and Paul Pisale at Ipswich. As a Gold Coast resident I would had to think how our old grey mayor Ron Clark would have performed in the same circumstances - it doesn’t bear contemplation.

As for Gillard she has clearly been on photo op and staged managed sound byte duty all the time looking for a TV crew. She has been a complete embarrassment from the time that she gave her Canberra media conference looking like Morticia Addams early in the week. FYI Julia, when you are in the trenches - leave the designer clothes home and do something productive.

Tom 2 says:

09:57am | 14/01/11

Don’t be so naive Vince. It highlights that Bligh’s staffers are better at profiting out the misery of Queenslanders for her political ends.

Everyone else was trying to help the victims. Anna was out there exploiting the event trying to get re-elected.

fairsfair says:

10:51am | 14/01/11

I actually worry about that Freddo. The people of Brisbane (who generally have the voting power for our entire state as it is) will be swayed by this. Not to say that I would hold that against them - I think she has done a really really really good job. I hope it is something that will leave positive memories of her in our history - but I really hope that it won’t lead to another term as unfortunately, she has failed a lot of other things. I hope she uses this as a stepping stone to a Senior Disaster Management position following politics.

Jack says:

10:47am | 16/01/11

Noellllly,  I am elated ex army Can do is the BCC leader in these times of disaster.
It appears you would prefer the opp leader, a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in political science and public administration.
Funny thing, when ever there is the need for leadership and coordination,  army personnel are appointed. I know who I would prefer to be BCC Lord Mayor in the aftermath and I am sure he would be involved more than you seem to be able to give him credit for.

Tony of Poorakistan says:

08:45am | 14/01/11

Well, we won’t have any shortage in a couple of weeks. In much the same way as the eastern states kept all the water when they wanted it, they are about to open the floodgates because they don’t want it. Never mind what we think. From the Condamine, the Warrego and the Barwon in Qld, to the Darling, Macquarie, Namoi , Murrumbidgee and Lachlan in NSW and the Campaspe and Goulburn in Victoria, we will end up with the lot, since they feed the Murray. Not that we need it with Renmark, Paringa etc all being sandbagged against our own floods. 
 
And yes, you are quite correct about the dams. A succession of Labor Governments in SA has steadfastly refused to consider them, preferring to kowtow to the Greens. Arse-kissing is worth more votes than ensuring your taxpayers have suficient water and electricity, it seems. 
 
Easier to hand $2 Billion to the Spanish to bung up a desalination plant that produces water at about the same cost per litre as scotch and uses more (coal-fired) power than the Adelaide CBD.

Kh says:

09:40am | 14/01/11

And what exactly are they supposed to do with empty dams?  For a dam to have ‘saved’ Brisbane, it would have to have been empty to take in the water.  It would have also required a psychic to have come up with the idea to build it in the first place.  It costs billions to build a dam, and millions more to maintain it.  Thats a lot of money to spend for an empty dam, ‘just in case’ a once in 100 year event occurs.  It wasn’t that long ago their existing dams weren’t even half full.  Just accept that this was an unpredictable event - it happens.  No one can be blamed for it - although the person who decided to build a city on a flood plain may have some questions to answer…..........

Tony of Poorakistan says:

11:08am | 14/01/11

Kh

we *do* need dams and yes, on a cyclical basis, they will be empty and full. We are subject to a number of cycles, such as the 11 year sunspot cycle, an 83-year cycle and others, perhaps with periods in excess of 1,000 years yet to be documented. The Chines scientist Shen Kuoh predicted as much around the year 1050. 
 
As for cost, dams are cheaper than desalination by any measure. Don’t let the Green-inspired, ALP rhetoric fool you.
 
Building cities adjacent to floodplains is a super idea, provided you actually allow for the floods. The Ancient Agyptians used the ‘‘Inundation’’ to replenish their agricultural lands with fertile soil. Regrettably, our politicians, in their greed and their dislike of spending money on expanding infrastructure, have allowed developers to build over the equivalent land. What they should have done is build on non agricultural land, but this would mean providing water, electricity, roads etc.

notSue says:

11:15am | 14/01/11

@Kh Thank goodness for sense! Absolutely spot on! No-one could have prepared adequately for an event such as this.

Re Anna Bligh, her humanity, her grace under pressure, her very definite taking of the reins whilst obviously heeding the advice of her senior advisors willl be remembered, not just by QLDers but by observers fom other states. She deserves the accolades she is receiving for her handling of this disaster thus far. I hope she can keep up the pace, because this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Cynics who call it an “obvious” bid for re-election need a lesson in being human, because they obviously lack anything like empathy.
IF she is re-elected on the strength of her performance during a time of crisis, good for her. Surely strength, good judgement and humanity are what we *want* in our leaders?

I truly hope she doesn’t turn out to be a Churchill, dumped after the war.

CQer says:

02:23pm | 14/01/11

Too true JustCol. The next flood will come in roughly 40 years (as did the last one and the 2 before that). The Wivenhoe was build for flood mitigation but was kept too full early this wet season (just in case we went into another drought!). Because Brisbane was “immune” to floods (with the presence of the Wivenhoe) people are allowed to live on flood plains throughout Brisbane.  The tragedy of Toowoomba and it’s surrounding area is awful and without human fault. HOWEVER if we don’t learn from this flood we will be back here again as a state in roughly 2050. Now is the time for learning as well as rebuilding- after all we are supposed to be the “Smart State” and we all need to learn from our experience.
That done- well done to the ADF, SES, volunteers, police, Salvos etc who have done their absolute best to look after others during this difficult time. THEY are the heroes! They are the ones with their hands dirty, lacking sleep and not in it for personal gain.

Rob r Charteris says:

10:47am | 14/01/11

David says:08:29am says “Contrast to the insincerity being shown by Gillard” what a stupid uneducated bogan remark. Pathetic!!!

If you dont know whyat a Bogan is check here, fittingly they have Howard’s head at the top of the page http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Bogan

Aitch B says:

01:34pm | 14/01/11

Only because they couldn’t find one of you, you wanker!

Anyone but her says:

09:27am | 14/01/11

My partner vomited in his nose at the crocodile tears from Ms Bligh.

Dash says:

10:22am | 14/01/11

YUK! Still, better than vomiting in someone elses! Gillard makes me want to vomit everytime I hear her speak!

AFR says:

09:21am | 14/01/11

Ibrahim is Malayisan.

Paul Neri says:

09:37am | 14/01/11

Fair suck of the sauce bottle, mate, close enough!

Cranky says:

10:09am | 14/01/11

Clearly you “know very little of politics in QLD”! I can’t wait to get rid of “such a wonderful premier”. You see empathy is all well and good, but it doesn’t equate to a well-run and disciplined government. Governments are not there to make my heart swell, they are there to keep law and order, manage state finances, look after people who slip through the cracks and maintain and build community infrastructure etc. When will we ever realise that we are being conned by these bloody therapeutic, leftist nannies that Labor keep trotting out?

heather says:

10:29am | 14/01/11

Nonsense Cranky, Anna Bligh was left a large smelly poisoned chalice by the master of spin, aka Peter Beattie. She has done a good and brave job; both in the current crisis, and by perservering with all the baggage…don’t forget, the Qld government is *actually* run by the bureaucracy, not by the Ministers.

Mr GG says:

11:58am | 14/01/11

@Cranky
Still better than NSW gov’t….
Come to Sydney to see bad planning, infrastructure and excessive corruption.

commonsensegirlonline says:

11:09am | 14/01/11

As a Victorian, who has seen my fair share of disasters down here, and horrified at the enormity of this calamity in Queensland, I am mortified at the sniping and almost sheer hatred being written about Premier Bligh who although presumably exhausted like so many thousands of others in Qld, has so eloquently and succinctly advised the rest of the population of Australia of the situation, outlining every step of the way of the disaster which unfolded with all the important facts and figures which we were all needing to hear. 

Politics aside, from our vantage point, she has done a fantastic job with clarity and positiveness which has been so necessary. For goodness sakes, stop your whingeing and get out there and help your fellow man in their hours of extreme need! All we can do from down here is to send money - we hope it’s used wisely, and even though we have no guanatees of that, we give with open hearts and generosity regardless.

Some generosity of spirit about your leaders wouldn’t go astray!

Lizzie says:

10:33am | 14/01/11

Exactly! Some people show their emotions in public, others privately.  As an ex Pom of a certain generation I remember watching Mrs Thatcher turn to leave at the end of a speech - just in time for the welling tears to be hidden from the cameras.
Like or loath their politics, some people are natural speakers, some not, some people hide their reactions, some blaze them to the world. Gillard is criticised as wooden, Bligh as showing crocodile tears. They can’t win.  If they’re doing the job well, what matter if they should us their emotions or not? If they’re not - well that’s another question.
Thoughts and prayers to sufferers and helpers alike.

Kate says:

12:25pm | 14/01/11

Exactly right centurion.

Not to mention, if Gillard cried, you can bet there’d be a million comments about how she’s not fit to be a PM because she’s too emotional.

BobM says:

12:47pm | 14/01/11

Trouble is, Lizzie, Julia’s eyes would never have ‘welling tears’.  She is a cold, hard, calculating politician who can’t even string a comforting sentence together without a written speech (carefully hidden, mind you) or an auto-cue.

Anna at least had a human father…..

Vaunted says:

10:24am | 15/01/11

“Wooden’ doesn’t mean “didn’t cry’ Centurion.
Wooden means stilted, unnatural, awkward, lifeless, without passion. Julia’s stilted mouthing of scripted platitudes such as ‘standing shoulder to shoulder’ whilst waving her cupped fingers like an ineffectual, vision-impaired fruit picker were downright embarrassing.
Every PM deserves a modicum of respect, but I couldn’t watch.

Ben C says:

09:52am | 14/01/11

Good point PipStar, where is Langbroek? You’ve seen sweet FA of him in Queensland, we in other states have seen even less.

julie of brisbane says:

10:16am | 14/01/11

He was interviewed on Channel 7. He has been travelling to trouble spots. he has appointed a shadow cabinet Minister with the portfolio called ....? forget - something to do with Recovery. 
As if any media would be interested with everything else going on!  Good on Ch 7 for interviewing him.  So yes, he was articulate and suitably concerned.  Just because you dont see him dont assume he’s not doing anything.  its the media that decides how much the opposition gets to say.
(Disclaimer - not a member of, associated with LNP in anyway. Just a viewer that saw him and appreciated what he had to say)

Paul says:

11:18am | 14/01/11

Wisely, the opposition does not make public comment at this time.
You should be well aware of why.
And if you are connected in any way to the Queensland community, you will know they are all out there working to assist.

Hamish says:

11:15am | 14/01/11

Gillard’s problem (in this instance) is that she is completely unable to put any emotion in her voice. She talks about the floods and the devastation as if she’s talking about industrial relations reform. I think one of the reasons why Bligh has come across so well, is that Gillard comes across so badly.

Peter says:

09:52am | 14/01/11

Bligh definitely has “not”  used grief as some tool to win votes. That is why she has been so remarkable.

Tim the Toolman says:

10:32am | 14/01/11

“Bligh definitely has “not”  used grief as some tool to win votes.”

There are articles popping up everywhere stating that by crying she may have given herself the chance to survive the election.  I find it hard to believe that someone who is in her position is unaware of how to manipulate peoples emotions effectively. 

Irregardless, if she isn’t then, it’s even worse.  What hope do we have if our leaders can’t survive something like this without crying?

Rosie says:

10:48am | 14/01/11

I agree, can we have politicians that do not descend into tears when there is a crisis as I am sure there a lot of people out there in devasting situations that would like the world to know how they have lost everything but happy to be alive. Got to give it to Gillard, she hasn’t resorted to tears, well not yet anyway!

What happened in Toowoomba was beyond human control to prevent lives being lost and they are the ones that should be crying on TV and our politicians should be there comforting them not crying along with them. Perhaps politicians should be taught to hold back their tears and shaking voices when making speeches in front of cameras.

Apart from that footage of Anna Bligh, as Premier of QLD she is doing a fine job, expected of anyone in her position.

I am waiting for how the Bligh govt deals with the aftermath, before I make any judgement. That is what counts now, making the lives of the flood victims a little bit better.

Syl says:

10:52am | 14/01/11

Did you actually bother to read the article?  Or was this simply an opportunity to have a bitch about how crying somehow equals weak.

PJ says:

01:07pm | 14/01/11

@ Syl

I know if I was a flood victim I wouldn’t need to see my Premier showing feelings of empathy or sympathy for me to know that he/she recognises the pain we are going through or the hardships we will be facing in the days, weeks, months and in some cases years to come.

Kathy says:

02:41pm | 14/01/11

Being from SA , I haven’t seen that much of Anna Bligh until now.  What I’m seeing now is a strong, practical woman who is doing a very good job on, I suspect, very little sleep.  She is also not bothering to style her hair or put on lashings of makeup unlike our poker faced PM.  I’m pretty sure that if I were in Bligh’s situation (& dealing with personal trauma due to the floods no doubt) my voice might quaver & a tear might appear.  For goodness sake, it’s not as though she stood there bawling, she showed an inadvertent bit of emotion!!

Syl says:

04:11pm | 14/01/11

PJ

Yes because a leader who shows empathy or sympathy when her people are in trouble is undesirable…  She hasnt had a f*****g breakdown and dissappeared into a corner.  She needed a moment to compose herself then got back to her job, which, to my suprise, she is doing well for once.  The fact that she shed a tear is such a non-issue it defies belief that people are criticising her for it.

Ken says:

04:53pm | 14/01/11

Syl’s all over this like a labour party staffer…

Is your card up to date?

Syl says:

06:49pm | 14/01/11

Ahh Ken, as soon as someone says something good about a labour politician they must be a “staffer”

I have said many times that I cannot stand either party in their current forms, they both disgust me.  I did not vote labour in the last state election or labor in the last federal election. 

Some people believe in giving credit where they believe credit is due.  I have no idea why thinking that having a leader who gives a shit about their people is equal to being a staffer either, maybe you could explain it to me?

Try again next time, thanks for playing.

Average Joe says:

10:53am | 14/01/11

I don’t support the ALP and I’m no fan of the PM, but allow me to say that I believe Brad’s post is spot-on - both in content and ambience . It’s nice to see a post expressing an opinion that doesn’t feel the need to denigrate one side or the other…...well said mate!

Syl says:

10:56am | 14/01/11

Shamefuk?  I reckon my dad had that movie in his “special movie drawer”.

Also I agree, I expect Gillard to be professional and displaying “stiff upper lippedness” in such circumstances but smiling seems….. innapropriate.

jim says:

11:03am | 14/01/11

You’re a twit mate. There’s plenty of Labor Party/Bligh critics on this site giving credit where credit’s due. Langbroek, of whom I am no fan, has, by all accounts, done his job every bit as well as the Premier. The fact that he has taken a low profile says more not less about him.

That fact that an obvious ALP hack would seek to make political mileage from it speaks volumes about you.

Malex says:

04:59pm | 14/01/11

Jim,

Him taking a low profile now is neither here nor their, if he had put himself infront of the media and said the right things without getting in Anna’s way then that would have been good for him to.

But I am not entirely judging him, though I do believe that as the leader of the opposition party he should have made more of a presence of himself than he has.

I will judge him on his presences in the weeks and months to come.  I have grave fears that he (and I am also willing to bet Abbott will suffer from this) can keep his mouth shout and not start trying to attack and blame this on the Bligh government.  His entire career (spent in opposition) has been about attacking rather than providing a constructive opposition.

But I will be happy for him to prove him wrong.

And the cynics would cry foul of Anna was to call an election soon after this event, but I am of the view that that is the way forward.  We really need a government in place to take this recovery through from start to finish, and not have it politicised.

Can you just imagine the games the opposition will play if the recovery is 6 months in and then an election called.  Be it the ALP or the LNP, we need 1 recovery plan.

Admitedly a bipartisan plan is what is really needed and would negate that requirement, but in the current political climate, we know that will never happen.

Christian Real says:

11:32pm | 15/01/11

Jim,
The bottom line is that if Langbroek is putting himself forward as an alternative choice of Premier for the state of Queensland at the next State election,then he should not be keeping a low profile by remaining invisible while the State that he hopes to lead should he ever become Premier is being swamped by floodwaters.
Perhaps Langbreok, was still either to busy celebrating the Christmas and New Years holidays and couldn’t find the time to break away from his festive mood to visit the flooded areas of Queensland or maybe he just didn’t want to get his feet wet.

BobM says:

03:18pm | 15/01/11

Probably something to do with those weekly meetings she has with her Deputy Deputy PM, Bob Brown…...

Austin 3:16 says:

07:37pm | 15/01/11

On the other hand BJ the last thing we need right now is long unemployment lines.

Against the Man says:

10:40am | 14/01/11

The hand gestures are to distract us from the fact that they speeches are just blahblah nonsense

jf says:

11:05am | 14/01/11

Anna is beautiful? Truly beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

BobM says:

01:51pm | 14/01/11

jf - don’t feed the trolls.

Bruce The Goose says:

12:03pm | 14/01/11

Do you mean this is like when god smite sodam & gomorrah
“Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens”  Genesis 19:24.  “Turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly”...... or ungreenly

personally not to down play the tragedy of it, i think it was the weather, very bad weather!

ZSRenn says:

12:59pm | 14/01/11

My thoughts go out to the Australian who buys insurance and will have to pay for the repair to the multimillion dollar homes that were flooded, and those people with private jetties and yachts, and private motor cruise boats that got swamped. Also the multinational corporation skyscrapers with squillions in their banks accounts that got flooded.

sick of urban greenies says:

04:28pm | 14/01/11

yes it is terrible that climate change has reverted us back to the “good old days”. Did you notice that they have had to go back to records of the 1893 Brisbane flood to see what to expect for 2011.
And I presume John you live in total isolation from the modern world- you use no computers, cars, supermarkets, electricity or gas… oh wait you’re on the internet… ooops you must contribute to all of what is “bad” in society… go join a hippie commune and stop taking showers.

Malex says:

05:08pm | 14/01/11

John, can I just say that you statement “Most of Qld is drowing in floods, and this has been happening for the last three wet season years.” is a wee bit of an understatement.

Most of Qld has been flooding in every wet season.  That is the nature of Queensland, just like large parts of the NT, extremely dry for 9 months of the year and flooded for the other 3.

Add to that the cyclic nature of drought and wet that Australia experiences and you get events like this happening.

Your exageration of events to try and put an environmental spin on it just makes your comment laughable, populated or unpopulated the events of the past month would have happened, the only thing that is different in each situation is the fact that in one scenario people’s homes and businesses were flooded, in the other the kangaroo’s and koala’s lost some trees.

john says:

05:13pm | 14/01/11

@sick of urban greenies

rhetoric from some fading generation of baby boomers in bicycle tights or a deluded old fart saying “get of my lawn”?

hermes says:

04:28pm | 14/01/11

Yes, surely the perfect opportunity for him to trot out something about climate change…

stephen says:

07:27pm | 14/01/11

Bob and his team opposed the dams which saved the day, and that’s the first question he’d get asked…except at SBS.

Barry says:

12:54pm | 14/01/11

Clearly, the Lib/Nats aren’t very good at using a flood to advantage like Labor.

Fountaingate says:

02:47pm | 14/01/11

Her days have always been numbered,Bill Shorten will be sizing her up again about now,will not last the year out,tokenism has a short lifespan

Lizzie says:

12:36pm | 14/01/11

Do you know that she didn’t ask Campbell Newman? Or could it be that he was out there, elsewhere, doing what he could - as part of his elected job - for his city? Does every person have to leave what they are doing to attend every press conference?  Bligh is Premier of the whole state, can’t be everywhere at once and refers to the most appropriate person as a question or statement requires.
I’ve seen Mr Newman speaking to press and television, but I feel certain he’d rather be doing something more useful than be standing in a room full of cameras just to show his commitment and “re-electability”.
(I’m neither Lib, Lab nor Qlder and have no bias in any direction)
Thoughts and prayers to all, sufferers and helpers alike.

Brian Taylor says:

02:15pm | 14/01/11

good point Laura

Unhappy BrisVegas says:

05:04pm | 14/01/11

Because of the special emergency that has been enacted, the reason why Campbell Newman is not at the press conferences is because he is irrelevant.  At the moment, he is not making any major decisions at all, everything is being done according to the disaster management scenarios.  In fact, to be brutally honest, the media talking to him all the time, and him telling them what ‘he’ is doing is a bit of a crock and political grandstanding on his part.  What is happening now, is very well planned, shows that all the emergency scenario modelling is working, and the experts (that we never see) have done and continue to do their jobs really well.  As it is a ‘state’ emergency, that is why Anna is the mouthpiece, people would not feel real good hearing updates from some faceless manager (regardless of obviously how good he is, and hopefully we hear more about him after this is over), hence her updates.  I don’t like Anna at all, and regardless of how well she is handling this drama, I will not be voting for her party in the future, BUT, I will give credit where it is due, I don’t think she has politicised this situation (probably too tired to spin), but every other pollie, including Newman has, so don’t be conned!

Emergency Management = LEGENDS!

notSue says:

01:33pm | 14/01/11

Excellent comment.
I have to turn the volume down when they interview American so-called “disaster experts” What a laugh!They did such an inept job after Katrina, our disaster planners and emergency workers are showing them how it should be done! Lack of political will ,lack of action and ridiculous rhetoric seem to be what the Americans are expert in! At least the American ambassador had the sense not to offer too much “advice”.

heather says:

04:30pm | 14/01/11

Oh so true, and that robotic SMILE! I detest the way she talks down to people, as if they are morons. Does she have an autocue hovering permanently hovering above her head?

Not a QLDer says:

02:35pm | 14/01/11

Graeme your an idiot.  Qlds have reacted amazingly to the tragedy that is unfolding but I dont know how you can claim people in other states havent done the same when they have been affected by natural disasters is beyond me.  Pull your head in you clown.

john says:

02:42pm | 14/01/11

Maybe she should be more like Madge and said to QLD ” You know your soaking in it”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wSO0-OOgBA

Macca says:

03:34pm | 14/01/11

@Robert, Kristina Keneally and Anna Bligh (well, the ALP in those states) have about 24 - 28% of the primary vote in their respective states. Mike Rann might be unpopular but he’s not that bad. Still, pleased to see another South Australian with a chip on his shoulder. Hang in there ol’ chap, someone will notice you one day

Kathy says:

05:05pm | 14/01/11

@ Macca , Rann not that bad? Granted he hasn’t stuffed too much up since re-elected, but that’s because he hasn’t done anything at all!!  Hasn’t even been sighted actually, although he will be out in force this week conducting his bromance with Lance Armstrong.  Have a look at letters to the Advertiser editor if you want to know what people think of him.

Mark says:

05:43pm | 14/01/11

Actually Marilyn, it was the ALP Federal government that failed to make a single bid for Cubby station. Labor.

B4Bear says:

06:01pm | 14/01/11

Oh so true.

Are these floods really just a warmist’s “event”? This is the title of one of Murdoch’s biggest hacks, Andrew Bolt. The dead are not even tallied yet and he is pointing the finger at everyone and anyone he dislikes.

QLD should be grateful for Bligh, she has done a sterling job, and will continue to do so.

Gillard is doing what she needs to do. Stand back and provide the support and assistance requested and required by the Federal Government. Their role will start when the rebuilding phase kicks into gear.

Marilyn Shepherd says:

02:03am | 15/01/11

And if they had made a $400 million bid for Cubby Mark, would you be squealing about the waste of money?

I reckon so.

Usually also Pete says:

02:14pm | 16/01/11

Hang around Pete, there are sometimes some comment gems in amongst all the anger.  It’s no worse than The Punch, just leans the other way.

Biteme says:

05:04pm | 14/01/11

Throw children overboard? Are you joking. My mates are Navy and were there. Of course they threw children overboard, they also did many other terrible things even worse than that. If you throw your kids in the sea the Navy must respond that’s why it’s done. The big deal it the millions in cash that is on each boat. (but you never hear about that, do you). If U got money you can jump in front of any que. Just ask any airline check in person.  It don’t matter if you black or white, it only matters how fat your wallet is.

jf says:

01:59pm | 16/01/11

Yes Charlie, this flood is all due to the greenhouse effect. Right now I’m composing a poem about Australia. I’m going to include a line about Australia’s new phenomenon of “droughts and flooding rains” caused by the greenhouse effect. I expect it to be a big hit.

john says:

11:06pm | 14/01/11

I don’t think Bob Brown is a cheap trick to show his face at disasters to score a few votes.

BobM says:

03:34pm | 15/01/11

He’s too busy counting the $1.6million donation from the Wotif boss to worry about the PEOPLE of Qld. Now if there was a frog in danger, it would be a different story of course.

TCB 24 X 7 says:

03:10pm | 15/01/11

Correct,
With all Respect and despite of this tragedy, if Bligh can use this in any way to save herself politically, she Definately will.
There will always be suckers around though.

As said in my last comment, i believe the Bligh Govt. should have done better in pre- warning.
Watch this space as Questions will be asked about this.

Norma says:

01:00pm | 15/01/11

Will, I’m going to stick up for Rudd here (first time in my life)
If Rudd himself leaked it, good on him. There have been warnings issued by health experts on the dangers of infection from the flood waters, but I would guess Rudd’s infection will have more impact as a warning than 50 warnings from the pros.

Kerri says:

06:49pm | 15/01/11

@Shep: Such negative comments do not help anyone. It must be truly awful being stuck without power in a high rise surrounded by water. But have you stopped to think that it could be worse? That you could have been one of those who have lost everything? How can you make such a generalised comment about people having feined rather than genuine empathy towards others? Watching the news today and seeing the hundreds if not thousands of volunteers turning up to help with the clean up, even though they themselves do not live in those devastated areas must surely give us all a sense of what being an Australian is all about - it’s about getting on with the job, helping wherever, whenever and however we can, being always able to see the positive side of things instead of carping on the negative. Try going out there and lending a hand, maybe you will be able to make some life-long friends, you never know if you don’t give it a go.
I say thank you to all those volunteers out there, your generous giving of time and effort (and also financial) will be truly appreciated and I will never say that any of you are not showing genuine empathy towards others.

tabitha says:

11:08am | 16/01/11

No electricity or parking? First world problems, dude.

BobM says:

03:48pm | 15/01/11

She’s just trying to look nice for her girlfriend. Hasn’t done anything about those earlobes tho.

Sly Steinberg says:

04:40pm | 15/01/11

@Robyn,There is void behind her forehead,The botox excesses have scrambled her emotional responses to human empathy and her PR company are working feverishly to reprogramme her in an effort to make her resemble a human,a hopeless task