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By Millie Thomas
onflict has arisen both in the media and community discussion about the Federal Government’s proposed floods levy.
Is it a Samaritan act, or mismanagement on the government’s behalf? The Monitor spoke with local members for Grey, Rowan Ramsey and the State seat for Giles, Lyn Breuer about the benefits and drawbacks of this additional tax and they are polarised over the tax. The levy, as outlined in the media, can be explained; “In summary, here’s how you will be affected by the Federal Government’s oneoff flood rebuilding levy: A levy of 0.5 per cent will apply on taxable incomes between $50,001 and $100,000; A levy of 1.0 per cent will apply on taxable incomes above $100,000; anyone earning less than $50,000 will not pay the levy; flood victims will not pay the levy; a person earning $60,000 a year will pay just under $1 extra per week under the levy; a person earning $100,000 a year will pay just under $5 extra per week under the levy; the levy will apply only in the 2011/12 financial year; it is expected to raise $1.8 billion.” – News.com.au Rowan Ramsey, Liberal Member for Grey, opposes the tax, saying that the Government has wasted money in different departments, and simple saving could help fund the rebuild of Queensland. “I, like millions of other Australians, sat and watched in horror as the floods took an enormous toll in human life, property and infrastructure,” said Mr Ramsey. “It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to fund the rebuilding of public infrastructure in the flood areas and this will undoubtedly cost billions. However the $1.8 billion the Government wishes to raise in this proposed levy should be comfortably met with some prudent management.” Mr Ramsey went on to point out the areas where the government has ‘wasted’ money. “The current Government has a history of waste and a record of economic mismanagement which has devastated the economy and left us with enormous debt. “Building the Education Revolution$6 billion wasted, the Home Insulation
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Program- $1.2 billion wasted, Laptops in Schools -$1.2 billion blow-out with less than half delivered, Solar Homes Program$850 million blow-out and the program now cancelled, $300 million wasted on Green Loans, millions spent on Grocery Watch, Fuel Watch and now the introduction of three new taxes. “Instead of reigning in spending, the Government instinctively turns to taxing and borrowing to fund this crisis. “In fact, they’re still borrowing $100 million a week. That means if they’re still borrowing money, in about four months, they’d have their $1.8 billion dollars. I just think that the federal budget is $350 billion dollars a year. “They reckon they’re going to spend this $1.8 billion over the next three years. Well over the next three years they are going to collect over a trillion dollars in tax. If they can’t make a half a percent efficiency over the one year they’re not even trying. “If by the end of the year the government has it’s way, we will have a carbon tax, a mining tax, a flood levy and that already comes on top of increased alcohol taxes which they raised in the first term of government. “At the same time as all this, outside the budget measures, all to one side is another $50 billion which they’re going to spend on broadband networking, and that doesn’t even come up in the budget. “I think there’s ample room for the government to meet its commitments and obligations and they should.” The Hon Lyn Breuer Member for Giles, supports the Federal Government’s decision, stating profusely that as Australians, we need to band together to overcome Australia’s worst ever natural disaster. “There’s no way that Queensland would be able to afford the infrastructure that’s been lost in both of those events (the flood and Cyclone Yasi), so it is up to the Federal Government to help them out,” said Ms Breuer. “My belief is that as Australians that these people have lost everything – we should be helping as much as we can. We should support this levy, I don’t think that there’s any reasonable person that would have a problem with it – whether they have donated towards it or not. Continued on page 10...
Volume 8, Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Love is in the air…in Roxby!
By Celeste Lustosa
O
n February 14 lovers from all around the world will be celebrating their love for each other by going out for romantic dinners, presenting each other with flowers, chocolates, cards and other big variety of presents.
I do understand when people criticise the fact that this date has become too commercial, but let’s be honest, who doesn’t like to spoil and be spoiled by the one they love?
Bonnie and James will celebrate Valentine’s Day in Roxby this year
Commercial interest aside, this story is not about how a religious day became one of the most fantastic marketing opportunities for companies all over the world, it is about some great love stories that Roxby residents agreed to share to maybe inspire the romantic side on each one of us. Bonnie Opie, 23 and James Hall, 27 are a young couple who have been together for two years and will spend their first Valentine’s Day in the company of their nine week old baby boy Harper.
“We will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with our nine week old son, Harper and getting him to sleep as early as possible,” Bonnie jokingly said. The couple met at a party and are now a happy family. “We met at a party in Wallaroo, decided to walk home together and got lost in a paddock. My sister then had to drive around looking for us, because we had no idea where we were. Continued on page 10