Flood Levy
#92
Re: Flood Levy
Unfortunately in a lot of instances it is is because in the (extremely) fine print these companies stipulate they will not cover for river floods only flash floods, so people often think they are covered for an event when they are not - hence they wriggle out of it legally (but not morally in my view - you would think a flood is a flood right?).
I wouldn't be a bit surprised though if a lot of insurance companies find people cancelling or not renewing their policies now they realise they are not worth the soggy paper they are written on...
I wouldn't be a bit surprised though if a lot of insurance companies find people cancelling or not renewing their policies now they realise they are not worth the soggy paper they are written on...
#94
Re: Flood Levy
The levy is for government reconstruction of major infrastructure stuff to keep the nation going - railroads, bridges etc.
#95
Re: Flood Levy
I wonder if we would have seen as many complaints if the Net had been around, when Howards gun buy back levy was on.
I reckon thats where Gillard must have got the idea from.
It will be for one year, Anything extra will be politcal suicide.
Theres a Carbon Levy waiting in the wings though. Now that one I will be against.
I reckon thats where Gillard must have got the idea from.
It will be for one year, Anything extra will be politcal suicide.
Theres a Carbon Levy waiting in the wings though. Now that one I will be against.
#98
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
#99
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Perth
Posts: 2,237
Re: Flood Levy
Well said. Hockey has dismissed the levy as "dumb", but I don't hear any alternative proposals. Meanwhile, Colin Barnett is supporting the levy in defiance of Abbott!
Last edited by HelenTD; Jan 27th 2011 at 12:22 pm.
#100
Re: Flood Levy
I heard on the news that Carnarvon won't be getting any of the money despite its agricultural industry getting decimated.
#101
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Cheshire>Townsville
Posts: 232
Re: Flood Levy
How about fining the local councils for giving planning permission to build on flood plains. I hear it's supposed to be only for a year, the Germans were told that when solidaritry tax was brought in when the wall came down, their still paying!!
John
John
#102
Re: Flood Levy
All John Howard's levies have been discontinued.
#103
Re: Flood Levy
They have to raise the levy cos the levee failed
Personally I dont have a problem with paying this, happy to do so. Thats the benefit of federation - states dont have to go it alone in times of emergency / disaster, and who knows in a few years time it could be my area needing assistance.
But...I do have a few concerns
1. I am concerned that only QLD has been mentioned so far. As others have said, will the flood affected infrastructure in NSW, VIC, SA, WA also be covered by this? and if not, why not? If its only QLD then its an unfair levy to the other affected areas, especially northern NSW.
2. I am concerned that the owners of the multi multi million dollar mansions overlooking the Brisbane river will be exempted from this. Yes they are flood affected, but they're still probably in a better situation financially than 99.9% of Australians to pay this levy.
3. I am concerned that single income families will be hit harder for this levy than dual income families. (i.e 1x income of $110 will pay so much more extra tax than 2x income of $55k each) But I guess thats just taxation all over.
4. I am concerned that some people will use it as an excuse to stop giving donations to the flood affected people and deliberately 'misunderstand' the purpose of the levy. Also that existing non-flood related charities will be affected by that misunderstanding.
Personally I dont have a problem with paying this, happy to do so. Thats the benefit of federation - states dont have to go it alone in times of emergency / disaster, and who knows in a few years time it could be my area needing assistance.
But...I do have a few concerns
1. I am concerned that only QLD has been mentioned so far. As others have said, will the flood affected infrastructure in NSW, VIC, SA, WA also be covered by this? and if not, why not? If its only QLD then its an unfair levy to the other affected areas, especially northern NSW.
2. I am concerned that the owners of the multi multi million dollar mansions overlooking the Brisbane river will be exempted from this. Yes they are flood affected, but they're still probably in a better situation financially than 99.9% of Australians to pay this levy.
3. I am concerned that single income families will be hit harder for this levy than dual income families. (i.e 1x income of $110 will pay so much more extra tax than 2x income of $55k each) But I guess thats just taxation all over.
4. I am concerned that some people will use it as an excuse to stop giving donations to the flood affected people and deliberately 'misunderstand' the purpose of the levy. Also that existing non-flood related charities will be affected by that misunderstanding.
#104
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,816
Re: Flood Levy
The Body Shop seems to have introduced its own flood levy - don't know if its everywhere, but the staff in the Queen Street mall have been told to suggest to every customer that they should round up their purchase to the next $ and give the change to the flood appeal. Not many customers that are going to say No when confronted with that at the till are there ;rolleyes: Although the woman next to me said in that case she was changing from cash to paying by card so that there was no change
I object to that kind of charity giving, its like the people who come up to you in the pub and shake a tin under your nose. I give when i want to who I want, I don't want to be made to feel obliged to give.
I object to that kind of charity giving, its like the people who come up to you in the pub and shake a tin under your nose. I give when i want to who I want, I don't want to be made to feel obliged to give.
#105
Re: Flood Levy
We lived in Germany for 5 years prior to moving to OZ and I have to say the vast majority of Germans that we knew understood why the tax had not be removed and as such were willing to continuing paying it.
BTW, Its a totally different situation and you are comparing apples to carrots by even mentioning it.