Peter Dutton is trolled for setting up a GoFundMe for Aussie flood victims when his government rakes in $500BILLION from taxpayers each year: ‘You have our money – use it’
- Brisbane has been hit by its worst flooding since 2011 with seven deaths so far
- Defence Minister Peter Dutton set up a GoFundMe for flood victims on Sunday
- He was ridiculed online by people who say the Government should pay
Defence Minister Peter Dutton has been ridiculed online after setting up a GoFundMe for Queensland flood victims.
Mr Dutton, who represents Dickson in north-west Brisbane, set up the page on Sunday as the city faced its worst flood crisis in a decade with 140 suburbs on alert.
Mr Dutton shared his fundraiser on Twitter, writing: ‘The water hasn’t gone down yet, and we haven’t seen the full extent of the damage to our community due to catastrophic flooding.
‘We have started a fundraiser to help local residents and businesses who have been affected.’
Shadow assistant environment minister Josh Wilson blasted Mr Dutton and suggested the Government should be funding the rescue and recovery efforts.
Two men are seen paddling a kayak through flood waters covering Nash Street in the suburb of Rosalie in Brisbane on Monday
Milton resident Jillian Handyside is seen at her flooded house in Brisbane on Monday
Twitter users also pounced on the post. One wrote: ‘This is taking abrogation of responsibility to a whole new level’
‘Tell me you have no idea what a competent government does without telling me you have no idea what a competent government does,’ he wrote.
Twitter users also pounced on the post. One wrote: ‘This is taking abrogation of responsibility to a whole new level.’
Another added: ‘You’re literally in government, your mate Josh Frydenberg manages the nations coffers – YOU fund the rescue, repair and recovery operation. That’s your job!’
A third person wrote: ‘What the actual f****** f*** is this country? You. Have. Money. Our money. Use it.’
Total taxation revenue collected in Australia in 2019-20 was $552.0 billion.
Scott Morrison, who is in Brisbane meeting emergency service personnel on Monday, backed the fundraiser – which has so far received more than $21,000 of its $25,000 goal.
‘That sounds to me like someone doing their job,’ Mr Morrison said on Sunday evening.
‘As a local member of parliament, you always look to try and harness community support for responding to major disasters, that’s what our job is – to work with our communities when they’re in times of stress and times of need.’
People carrying sand bags are seen wadding through flood waters on Nash Street in the suburb of Rosalie in Brisbane
Peter Dutton has been ridiculed online after setting up a GoFundMe for Queensland flood victims
Several Twitter users blasted Mr Dutton after he set up the fundraiser on Sunday
A man is seen paddling a kayak through flood waters covering Torwood Street in the suburb of Milton in Brisbane
Mr Dutton donated $2,500 of his own money.
He wrote on the page: ‘We are raising money from all across the country to support residents and business owners in Pine Rivers whose lives and livelihoods have been affected by the February 2022 floods.
‘Your donation will provide immediate assistance in the aftermath of the flood to those most in need.
‘Food and essential supply packages for families who need it. Essential clean up supplies to assist community volunteers. Equipment to help businesses get back up and running. Any other assistance we can provide the community.’
The flooding is Brisbane’s worst since 2011 and has killed seven people. Some 2,145 homes and 2,356 businesses were expected fully submerged by a 4m flood peak on Monday morning’s high tide.
The Government has activated the Disaster Recovery Payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child to support people impacted by the South East Queensland flooding event that began on 22 February.
People who have suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home or serious injury can claim the one-off payment.
A women holding a small child is seen looking at flood waters in the suburb of Rosalie in Brisbane
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