Thursday 28 April 2011

Responses of Society

More than 55,000 volunteers registered to help clean up the streets of Brisbane; with thousands more unregistered volunteers wandering the muddy streets with gumboots and mops. Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the volunteering effort showed tremendous 'Aussie spirit' and that "Right across Queensland today people have got up, marched out of their homes and gone to find people to help," she said. All across the country, people have opened their houses, their hearts and their wallets to help.


Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard toured flood-affected areas on 31 December, the day before Queen Elizabeth II, sent her expressions of concern and sympathy for the victims of the floods to her representative in Queensland, Governor Penelope Wensley. The Queen later made a donation to her Queensland premier's flood relief appeal, as did her son, Prince Charles. In March 2011, Prince Charles' eldest son, Prince William, toured the affected areas in Queensland, as well as those damaged by the floods in Victoria. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated, "On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I offer my condolences for the loss of life and damage in Queensland caused by the recent flooding." U.S. President Barack Obama said he was ready to help. John Key, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, held a telephone call with Prime Minister Gillard, during which she thanked New Zealand for its help. Len Brown, the Mayor of Auckland, a sister city of Brisbane, offered assistance to Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman. David Cameron, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom offered his sympathies. Downing street stated: "The Prime Minister offered his deep sympathy on behalf of the British people for those who have died, those who have lost their homes and all those who have been affected by the floods in Queensland."


The Queensland Reconstruction Authority, a body created to co-ordinate the rebuilding program, was set up. The Australian Defence Force's contribution to flood relief efforts was designated Operation Queensland Flood Assist. About 35 State Emergency Service personnel from New South Wales and 20 personnel from Victoria were deployed to provide relief to exhausted staff and volunteers. A national appeal was established on 29 December, with the state and federal governments giving A$1 million each. Small businesses and primary producers in 13 local government areas became eligible for grants of up to A$25,000 to pay for costs from damage incurred as a result of the floods. National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements were also made available to a total of 31 local government areas across Queensland.

On 9 January, the Flood Relief Appeal: Australia Unites telethon  raised more than A$10 million in pledged aid. At the first Twenty20 cricket match between Australia and England in Adelaide on 12 January, both teams donated part of their match fees to help the victims and A$28,450 was collected from people in attendance. On 16 January, the day before the 2011 Australian Open commenced, a number of players took part in the Rally for Relief which was held at Rod Laver Arena and attended by 15,000 people, which raised A$750,000. On 27 January, the 2011 Legends of Origin charity match was contested between former New South Wales and Queensland Rugby League State of Origin players raising $380,587 to go towards the recovery effort.



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