$100,000 of our money to Pakistan

My cynicism is strong on this one.
Why?

Stanhope hasn’t said he has made any personal commitment from his own finances to provide any example of leadership, but is still willing to spend your money on it.
Its a token sum that won’t piss off the bulk of the population who don’t notice that it is gradually increases the cost of his administration, its a double win for him that makes him look cuddlefluffy to those supporters who were already watching him, and for those who were barely paying attention it gives a positive media association with him.
All at no cost to himself, but even so he still gets his name put on every media release about it.
There’s a finite amount of media attention he can muster, and the part that isn’t being spent on how making you feel good about giving half a cent to every survivor of the flooding in Pakistan, would be focussed on his portfolio of TaMS which just failed an audit, is six months behind on service improvements to the bus system, and recently dropped a bridge on some construction workers, apparently because it was designed to fail.

vg said :

Would the same people who decline it also bleat long and hard about the same funding being given to, say, Hurricane Katrina victims. I mean the USA

a)Has nuclear weapons; and
b)Hasn’t minded supporting despotic regimes themselves in the past

They don’t fix cricket matches though. Guess they’re OK.

I would feel much worse about giving money to the USA.

On that note, the USA has about 200,000 young men and women, and many billions of dollars worth or transport and supplies in the country next to the pakies, they should be able to repay some serious karma to the world.

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

On average, but I suggest your model is wrong. Not everyone pays tax equally.

You’re perfectly cut out for law. Or mall security.

Think about the implications though Woody – the wealthy could end up having to kick in SEVERAL DOLLARS each!

Floods/fires/etc are a fact of life for many places. When there are many disasters happening all over the world at any given point in time you have to ask yourself how much impact will $100,000 do? Why select this particular flood and not others, it just seems like it was done as a publicity stunt because there was nothing else in the media at the present time. (Well maybe to take the spotlight off that little $4million bridge that fell over).

Does every city our of our size or bigger donate on behalf of all its people, and why shouldnt it be left upto the individual to decide which particular donations to make and value.

I’m sure there are alot of canberra people right now trying to work out how many rolls and hot soup can be supplied for the same amount, so what is the reasoning behind the gift?

Really JB. If you were three feet away from a child dying in Pakistan right now, would you have the hide to tell the child’s parents that you believe they shouldn’t be helped by our government, and that you believe it is OK for their child to die — because their politicians are corrupt?
My guess is that you would be on the phone to Stanhope telling him to send more.

Would the same people who decline it also bleat long and hard about the same funding being given to, say, Hurricane Katrina victims. I mean the USA

a)Has nuclear weapons; and
b)Hasn’t minded supporting despotic regimes themselves in the past

They don’t fix cricket matches though. Guess they’re OK.

But those foreign peasants never donated me any money when the washing machine flooded and I had to fork out for carpet cleaning so F*** ’em.

Seriously, $100,000 is a token gesture.

I may be a bit shadey.. but what has Pakistan done for us lately

There’s a virtuous life philosophy. “What’s in it for me? What have you done for me lately?” Try thinking how this is supposed to work if everybody acts the same way, then go write ‘FAIL’ on your forehead with a permanent marker.

Gooterz we do get something back long term from Pakistan; Afghans.

Well to really correct the record for the Catholics who are able to do amazing feats of logic God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost are the same thing otherwise known as the Holy Trinity. Basically God had to send himself down to earth to get the Jews back on track and then killed himself via the romans to absolve us of our sins which of course is weird cos he is God just absolve us already rather than do some self pleasuring S&M…but anyway then there is the Ghost who is kind of like Casper but more biblical and less of a heathen shadow beast drawn from Hell.

Anyway Catholicism claims that they are all One God and also a Holy Trinity.

I got a little lside tracked in there.

Regardless I personally think it’s poor form to send our tax dollars across overseas when Australia as a whole through the Federal government has done the same to a much larger scale with guess what our tax dollars. Double dipping charity, coupled with double dipping tax. I’m sure Pakistan flooded millions into our coffers during droughts, fires, famines, wars…

I may be a bit shadey.. but what has Pakistan done for us lately, and the last time canberra flooded, which overseas/interstate populations offered help?
Surely we could both offer help and get something back long term?

On average, but I suggest your model is wrong. Not everyone pays tax equally.

You’re perfectly cut out for law. Or mall security.

Pork Hunt said :

Deref said :

Jesus the Magical Sky Fairy is smiting the women and children? Nice. It’s certainly in-character.

I’m pretty sure that GOD does the smiting bit and that Jesus is playing more of a saviour kind of role…

Same deity, different hats.

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

$100,000 divided by 202,600 employed persons in the ACT (source: ABS labour force stats for August 2010) is 50c per person.

On average, but I suggest your model is wrong.
Not everyone pays tax equally.

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

You nominate where you’d like your 50c to go instead, I’ll make a donation, and you stop your whining already.

I nominate my own pocket, so that I can choose what my money gets spent on.
1) Cash isn’t what the Pakistani poor, thirsty, and dying need, and
2) Providing on the ground organisations with an excess of cash but no increase in supply merely drives up the price of goods and increases profits of those with the goods in-theatre.

Reprobate said :

So ask Jon for your 32c contribution to be withheld, I’m sure you will sleep better for it.

So, you’re advocating that the Government just salami slice its way through the population’s bank accounts, because you personally don’t care?
(Transactions taking ‘the little bit here and there that nobody will notice’ across a large enough population eventually accumulates into huge amounts, and all of it favours the sneak-thief.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

my opinion about where I want my money

$100,000 divided by 202,600 employed persons in the ACT (source: ABS labour force stats for August 2010) is 50c per person. How about this? You nominate where you’d like your 50c to go instead, I’ll make a donation, and you stop your whining already.

You should not have to bear that massive burden yourself. How about this, we both “help our people, OUR PEOPLE”, first by giving the first beggar we see 25 cents? Actually, lets make it $5. That even the score for you Motley?

Be my guest. I’m sure someone who has no money would really appreciate $5.

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

my opinion about where I want my money

$100,000 divided by 202,600 employed persons in the ACT (source: ABS labour force stats for August 2010) is 50c per person. How about this? You nominate where you’d like your 50c to go instead, I’ll make a donation, and you stop your whining already.

You should not have to bear that massive burden yourself. How about this, we both “help our people, OUR PEOPLE”, first by giving the first beggar we see 25 cents? Actually, lets make it $5. That even the score for you Motley?

Woody Mann-Caruso said :

my opinion about where I want my money

$100,000 divided by 202,600 employed persons in the ACT (source: ABS labour force stats for August 2010) is 50c per person. How about this? You nominate where you’d like your 50c to go instead, I’ll make a donation, and you stop your whining already.

Fine by me.

OuttaControl – are you the sort of person that…

…believed the Victorian and Canberra fires were divine wrath? I guess so.

PS – it’s ‘just deserts’, not ‘desserts’. You invisible sky fairy isn’t handing out karmic ice cream with sprinkles. Look it up.

motleychick said :

I get that. But you’re not getting that what I’m saying is my opinion about where I want my money to go.

So ask Jon for your 32c contribution to be withheld, I’m sure you will sleep better for it.

OuttaControl – are you the sort of person that, if you lived in the seat of Hasluck and recently found out the Liberal candidate you voted for in the last election was Indigenous, would have sent in racist hate-mail to newly-elected member Ken Wyatt?

my opinion about where I want my money

$100,000 divided by 202,600 employed persons in the ACT (source: ABS labour force stats for August 2010) is 50c per person. How about this? You nominate where you’d like your 50c to go instead, I’ll make a donation, and you stop your whining already.

Being ‘well aware’ that thousands of people are ill and dying from basic causes, and yet still preferring to keep all monies within Australia is actually worse than just being ignorant.

I agree. What consultation was done prior to this.

Let’s spend tens of thousands consulting about whether to spend $100K!

Actually, I am in favour of the Taliban spending as much money as possible supporting the population of Pakistan. At least they will be doing some good.

It’s the right and civlised thing to do. I’m frankly astounded that you can draw a parallel between a donation to UNICEF and a donation to the PLO, even in jest.

Deref said :

Jesus the Magical Sky Fairy is smiting the women and children? Nice. It’s certainly in-character.

I’m pretty sure that GOD does the smiting bit and that Jesus is playing more of a saviour kind of role…

OuttaControl – you obviously have read the bible (old testament), since you know the word ‘smite’. Now read the new bit, there’s not a lot of smiting in there. More of turning the other cheek and not hating.

Back OT – It’s good to help out a neighbour in a crisis, but the comments on this thread have put me off Civic for a loooong time in case our fearless leader does take up the suggestion to show off.

Keep in mind people that one of the biggest problems in Pakistan ATM is that most of the aid and support is being provided by the Taliban. That will lead people to support them in the future. This donation, whilst really only a trivial amount for the ACT (probably 30 cents per citizen) does help to offset Taliban funding and improve the goodwill towards Australia – which will be of benefit to Australia’s long term interests.

Do you seriously think that anyone in Pakistan will know that Jon Stanhope sent $100,000 in aid?

Seriously?

No they won’t. But it is better that they get the aid from UNICEF than they get the aid from a front organisation for the Taliban.

motleychick said :

I’d prefer my money going to people in Australia who need it, rather than overseas. Help your own country first.

People in your country aren’t currently subject to the worst natural disaster on record.

Piss-poor sentiment that smacks of nationalism.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

motleychick said :

All I am saying is that I prefer to spend my money on helping the people in my own country to make it a better place. And if I got to choose where my money goes rather than the government deciding, it would be to Australia. There are many people in need here.

The need of people there is much greater than the need of people here. Not many children in this country are dying from hunger related diseases and dehydration caused by diarrhea. thin about that for a minute – children dying from dehydration caused by diarrhea…

$100,000 would not do much for people in our community but would do a lot for people in Pakistan.

I get that. But you’re not getting that what I’m saying is my opinion about where I want my money to go. You don’t have to explain the situation to me – I’m well aware.

Outta Control said :

I can’t believe this – $100,000.00 to muslim terrorists. Has anybody stopped to think that the floods in Pakistan are punishment from God (the real one, not that Allah thing) for their terrorism and weird muslim beliefs? I for one was overjoyed that these worms finally got their just desserts.

Jesus the Magical Sky Fairy is smiting the women and children? Nice. It’s certainly in-character.

motleychick said :

All I am saying is that I prefer to spend my money on helping the people in my own country to make it a better place. And if I got to choose where my money goes rather than the government deciding, it would be to Australia. There are many people in need here.

The need of people there is much greater than the need of people here. Not many children in this country are dying from hunger related diseases and dehydration caused by diarrhea. thin about that for a minute – children dying from dehydration caused by diarrhea…

$100,000 would not do much for people in our community but would do a lot for people in Pakistan.

Outta Control said :

I can’t believe this – $100,000.00 to muslim terrorists. Has anybody stopped to think that the floods in Pakistan are punishment from God (the real one, not that Allah thing) for their terrorism and weird muslim beliefs? I for one was overjoyed that these worms finally got their just desserts.

Poe?

colourful sydney racing identity said :

motleychick said :

I’d prefer my money going to people in Australia who need it, rather than overseas. Help your own country first.

How you can compare what is going on in Pakistan at the moment to anything in Australia astounds me. How about you educate yourself on the situation there and think, or is the “help our own country first” simply convenient, thinly shrouded xenophobia?

I’m not comparing it to anything that is going on here at all. And there is no need to jump to conclusions and assume I am uneducated about what is happening – I am well aware. All I am saying is that I prefer to spend my money on helping the people in my own country to make it a better place. And if I got to choose where my money goes rather than the government deciding, it would be to Australia. There are many people in need here.

Outta Control said :

I can’t believe this – $100,000.00 to muslim terrorists. Has anybody stopped to think that the floods in Pakistan are punishment from God (the real one, not that Allah thing) for their terrorism and weird muslim beliefs? I for one was overjoyed that these worms finally got their just desserts.

Please tell me this is a troll…

Also, Allah=God…

Also, it’s “just deserts”…one ‘s’

I’m with fozzy on this one. If we provide the aid, there will be fewer inroads for the Muslim extremists.

On the one hand, a nuclear state that fixes cricket matches is the worst scum of the Earth (at least Iran doesn’t fix cricket matches). On the other hand, if we don’t keep trying to be friends, they’ll make friends with the wrong people and end up giving nuclear weapons to people we don’t like.

fozzy said :

Keep in mind people that one of the biggest problems in Pakistan ATM is that most of the aid and support is being provided by the Taliban. That will lead people to support them in the future. This donation, whilst really only a trivial amount for the ACT (probably 30 cents per citizen) does help to offset Taliban funding and improve the goodwill towards Australia – which will be of benefit to Australia’s long term interests.

Can people stop with the right wing shock jock stupidity.

amen.

In what sense does he reckon he has the jurisdictional authority to write that cheque when a) the Feds are responsile for foreign aid and b) the appropriation didn’t go through the Legislative Assemly?!

Keep in mind people that one of the biggest problems in Pakistan ATM is that most of the aid and support is being provided by the Taliban. That will lead people to support them in the future. This donation, whilst really only a trivial amount for the ACT (probably 30 cents per citizen) does help to offset Taliban funding and improve the goodwill towards Australia – which will be of benefit to Australia’s long term interests.

Can people stop with the right wing shock jock stupidity.

motleychick said :

I’d prefer my money going to people in Australia who need it, rather than overseas. Help your own country first.

How you can compare what is going on in Pakistan at the moment to anything in Australia astounds me. How about you educate yourself on the situation there and think, or is the “help our own country first” simply convenient, thinly shrouded xenophobia?

And surely taking the $$$ millions made in illegal betting scams off the Pakistani Cricket team and donating those to UNICEF would be a better deal, and have more effect.

(Not that Stan the man could do that I know, but you get my drift.)

Rollersk8r said :

This is typical Stanhope, thinking he’s a lot more important than he really is; pure grandstanding.

I agree. What consultation was done prior to this. If he needs attention that badly, why doesn’t he stand in Gareema place waving his dick about.

The children who are dying from the effects of diarrhea are not responsible for the actions of their government or extremist zealots.

sepi said :

Was it also wrong when many overseas countries gave money to Victoria in the wake of the bushfires?

It was their choice, subject to whatever public debate those populations chose to give.

I note however that this country doesn’t waste its money on nuclear weapons. Many countries, however, chose not to give aid because of our involvement in Iraq.

Their money, their choice.

I can’t believe this – $100,000.00 to muslim terrorists. Has anybody stopped to think that the floods in Pakistan are punishment from God (the real one, not that Allah thing) for their terrorism and weird muslim beliefs? I for one was overjoyed that these worms finally got their just desserts.

I’d prefer my money going to people in Australia who need it, rather than overseas. Help your own country first.

Was it also wrong when many overseas countries gave money to Victoria in the wake of the bushfires?

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Woah, JB a bit harsh?

So you think we should do nothing to stop children dying from preventable diseases because of their government? The money is going to UNICEF not the Pakastani govt.

It’s nothing to do with the country involved, their government or what the money might prevent. Private citizens are free to donate their own money – and we’ve already given $35 million federally. This is typical Stanhope, thinking he’s a lot more important than he really is; pure grandstanding.

http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2010/fa-s100817.html

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Woah, JB a bit harsh?

So you think we should do nothing to stop children dying from preventable diseases because of their government? The money is going to UNICEF not the Pakastani govt.

I will fight to the death to defend your right to give as much of your own money CSRI.

I also don’t object that a large part of my monthly giving to MSF is going to Pakistan at the moment. I’ve given that money for their work wherever they choose to do it.

But of all the people in need of help, I’d personally prefer it not going to a country that can afford a nuclear arsenal and to fund the mumbai massacre.

That’s my own personal preference.

Mr Stanhope obviously has another.

I am all for Australia (or Canberra) offering the sort of instant help that isn’t really an issue of money. We should be sending a plane over to air drop food, and any doctors and nurses that can help out are great.

But why money? Pakistan is the worlds 27th largest economy, do we really think that $100k will make any difference to their cash flow?

They need help, sure. And if we were offering them enough to send every Pakistani citizen on a holiday to Bali until the flood waters recede maybe it would make sense. But in this instance, simply tossing money at the problem seems a pretty meaningless gesture.

Note: Having said that, by channelling the money through UNICEF, I concede that the money has a fair chance of benefiting people on the ground who need it.

That is truly outrageous! It’s bad enough Stanhope thinks he’s a real national player, nevermind an international one. Which budget did this money come from? We could have put thousands of new books in CANBERRA’s libraries – but no, better off deciding on behalf of all Canberrans that our money is better spent overseas (and we’ll never know where it ends up).

I’m not usually one to claim ownership of taxpayer’s money – but this truly is my community’s money he is throwing away.

Woah, JB a bit harsh?

So you think we should do nothing to stop children dying from preventable diseases because of their government? The money is going to UNICEF not the Pakastani govt.