Flood Tax forced on Parkes Electorate flood victims
11-May-2011
The Federal Government outlined in the Budget the $1.8 billion flood levy which will see flood affected residents in the Parkes Electorate being taxed to rebuild the flood affected regions in Queensland and Victoria.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton explained despite the fact 13 LGA’s in the Parkes Electorate endured flooding from November 2010, residents who have not been declared eligible for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and earn over $50 000 would now have to pay the flood levy.
“This is really a double-whammy for many residents in the Parkes Electorate who have experienced severe flooding themselves,” Mr Coulton stated.
“Firstly the Attorney-General declares 13 LGA’s eligible for the AGDRP and then changes his mind and now these residents who experienced flooding will have to pay for a flood levy that will in no way benefit their local region.”
While Mr Coulton concedes the flooding experience in Queensland was a terrible tragedy, he highlighted that many individuals, small businesses and entire communities in the Parkes Electorate had experienced flood waters just as damaging and widespread as those in Queensland and Victoria.
“I think all Australians can see the devastation that the Queensland and Victorian floods caused, however this does not take away from the fact the areas in western NSW experienced severe flooding and have to date only received assistance from the State Government.”
“I would urge the Attorney-General to reconsider the criteria he placed on the AGDRP and make sure all people who endured damaging flooding had fair and equitable access to this assistance.”