Brisbane Floods
It’s not entirely clear what Julia Gillard is softening us up for following the Queensland flood disaster.
But if a Prime Minister is given the chance to deny the fact they are considering to introduce a new tax and doesn’t take that opportunity, well, you can safely assume that the revenue raising exercise being considered is not a talent extravaganza hosted by Sophie Monk.
Gillard seems to prefer the words “levy” to the more politically suicidal “tax”, but the Government appears to be committed to keeping its promise the budget in surplus by 2012-13 even if it means we pay more in tax at the next budget.
The bills are rolling in and then you notice the insurance policy for the house and contents is due. The cost seems astronomical and you are left thinking how insuring your property can be so expensive.
How will you afford to pay the insurance bill? The question really should be how you can neglect to pay for insurance, instead putting your economic livelihood at stake. You study your policy to look for clues to justify the cost.
Why is the policy so expensive? Are there any ways of making the premium any cheaper? Although you are analysing the cost, there is little understanding of how the premium is actually calculated.
Continue reading "Don’t blame insurers - blame the system" »
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pokkeme says:
Hey Sarah, Suncorp are the only insurers I could find Australia-wide that would cover cyclone. Flood-wise, Suncorp made it crystal clear that they wouldn’t cover rising water, only falling water damage. Living in north QLD, I had to go with the more likely option of cyclone. Not happy, Jan… Read more »
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Daylight robbery says:
Councils should provide online mapping of designated spatial flood areas. Insurance companies aren’t going to insure in these areas for nothing. People never used to have much in the flood areas and were prepared to lose it. Now property is worth more, or less maybe at present. At the end… Read more »
As human lives and communities are destroyed by floods in Australia, and we recall the devastation of the Haiti quake one year on, it’s appropriate to reflect on the continuing challenge humanity faces to work out how best to master nature.
As much as we can be in awe of the beauty of nature, we should resist the naive nature worship that ignores just how arbitrary and destructive it can be.
While we are in fact part of nature, we are that part of nature that is aware of itself. We are able to imagine and construct ways of shaping and managing nature to neutralise its (and our) dark side.
Continue reading "Worshipping nature doesn’t help humanity" »
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SimonR says:
What a singularly peculiar take on the floods. Who exactly is it that is out there worshipping nature? The Greens? Hippies? Pagans? Are events like these not answering the obvious redundancy in the old chestnut of man conquering everything? Surely the better question is how can to live within the… Read more »
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RT says:
Why worry? We’ll all be dead in another few billion years when the sun becomes a ‘red giant’ anyway. Read more »
In the tonnes of coverage on the Brisbane floods, nobody seems to have filmed or photographed this rather ironic sculpture. The “Flood” sculpture, by artist Richard Tipping, is on the river’s edge at the Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm. Perhaps because it’s already underwater? Do you know?
Update: 3:10 PM
Well thanks to social media now we do know. The Flood sculpture now neatly marks the flood water line on the Brisbane River.
Going
Gone.
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Mick says:
I wonder if they will erect another one spelling the word Stupid, and put it in a position where future flood levels might reach, and then if it does flood again, see if other buildings have been erected in the ensuing years below that anticipated flood level. Money might speak… Read more »
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Boo says:
lol, in hindsight Sven we should have listened to you ; ) Read more »
AS the flood disaster in Brisbane and the rest of Queensland continues to unfold today, you can follow the latest news updates from news.com.au’s flood information centre, Brisbane’s Courier Mail as well The Australian.
Below is a live blog from the News network where you can share what you know, show your support and look for your loved ones.
Feel free to comment on The Punch with your thoughts about the Queensland floods today.
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Pypeengisse says:
sole has become the sign from the time when it appeared. It is sure hard for you to put out of yourmind the elegance that the Christian Louboutin take to you. You don’t even have to walk out of yourhome, and your slim, beautiful and grace body could easily draw… Read more »
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kewIdegewix says:
are also some great boutiques in Bloomfield Avenue including Utopia, Equinox, Steensons as well as the Wicker Man.Evelin Brandt, a very stylish European woman’s label.Just a 10 minute taxi ride from the city centre may be theexciting experience, alot of your things you buy here you can’t get anywhere else!… Read more »
Bathed in an eerie sunlight, Brisbane doesn’t look like Queensland’s next disaster zone.
Small patches of mockingly blue sky mask the overwhelming sense of dread that has settled across the city.
The impending flood is expected to trump the infamous 1974 floods - and authorities are struggling to predict the extent of the damage. The CBD is uncharacteristically silent and calm, the usual morning hum replaced by a worrying stillness. The air is hot and the humidity is stifling.
Continue reading "Brisbane on edge as a city awaits its fate" »
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Joan says:
Thanks for the education guys….. Read more »
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Paul says:
@acotrel Really? How is this flood and weather more extreme than the 1974 flood? Read more »
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