I met another amazing person today.

[catsnknots]

Campbell Newman...... 

He has come to Bundaberg many times since the floods along with Tony Abbott... KRudd is yet to visit once... and since Rudd did not sign off on a lot of relief  money he probably won't be well received if he does visit. 

Anyway.. back to Mr Newman.... he has made some fantastic changes for our region and today he made a big announcement today that will create 500 jobs for the area... 

I was very impressed with Mr Newman and feel very happy that my vote went to such an amazing man. 

And for those that want to cry about the cuts I suggest you all look at the latest stats and see how much QLD has grown in the last 12 or so months. Jobs and growth are above and beyond what the rest of the countries growth has been. 

[catsnknots]

---

@i-need-a-martini wrote:

---

But not if they are Labor, eh? Here is what you wrote earlier in the year about Gillard coming up your way:

I would not go and see her... the fact is that our region needs massive support in the manner of donations.... I would not want a rant from me to distract from the important needs of my community. 

So if it is a Labor politician, it distracts from the community. But if it is a Liberal politician, it lifts the spirits?

---

lol.. see.. I said that I would not want my rant to distract from the important needs of the community.... that is because I know a lot of people liked her to visit.. it boosted their spirits and made them feel like they are being cared for... 

because I didn't like Gillard and would have nothing good to say to her I would not go... 

do you know why the Premiers Fund got so little money???? Because they got hit twice last time with a donation then the levy... they thought we were going to get another levy so they didn't give. Then Gillard said the floods were not as bad as the last ones so we didn't need a levey. ..over 2000 homes flooded.. so many more than last time... still hundereds can't get into their homes as they don't have the money to get things fixed... 

[catsnknots]

---

@azureline** wrote:

I saw an amazing mum yesterday, my daughter answered 100 questions for her 6 yo about voting. I am not sure he is finished asking yet, lol

---

lol... good on her.... and good on your grandson for asking those questions....   he might even end up with a passion for politics after yesterday... 

[*crikey*mate*]

---

@izabsmiling wrote:

 I hope that you get your membership sorted ...maybe they are being kind to you and not charging as you aren't earning hundreds of thousands ? 

---

No need to make it personal, eh?

Anyway, I have a general question about this. Hoping that someone can answer.

I'm getting the impression that to "join" one of the parties that you have to pay a membership fee, is that correct?

What's it mean by a "paid up member"

Is this the same for all parties?

If so, what does the membership fees cover, and to what does it entitle you?

I get that lost of clubs etc have membership fees etc, but without knowing more about this, I reckon politicas is an area that should not impose a fee - everyone should have access to that, not just those who can afford it.

Oh, and all the helpers at the polling booths - are they volunteers?

[catsnknots]

---

@izabsmiling wrote:

Catmad, I hope that you get your membership sorted ...maybe they are being kind to you and not charging as you aren't earning hundreds of thousands ? 

---

I hoe they sort it out too... 

will be my first job on Wednesday to call and fix it up... 

I am looking forward to being very invloved with the party... we have a lot of fundraising to do as the coffers are empty after this massive election... time to build the war chest for future elections. I can't believe how much money is spent and it then starts all over again. 

[freakiness]

---

@catmad*2013 wrote:

---

@i-need-a-martini wrote:

---

But not if they are Labor, eh? Here is what you wrote earlier in the year about Gillard coming up your way:

I would not go and see her... the fact is that our region needs massive support in the manner of donations.... I would not want a rant from me to distract from the important needs of my community. 

So if it is a Labor politician, it distracts from the community. But if it is a Liberal politician, it lifts the spirits?

---

lol.. see.. I said that I would not want my rant to distract from the important needs of the community.... that is because I know a lot of people liked her to visit.. it boosted their spirits and made them feel like they are being cared for... 

because I didn't like Gillard and would have nothing good to say to her I would not go... 

do you know why the Premiers Fund got so little money???? Because they got hit twice last time with a donation then the levy... they thought we were going to get another levy so they didn't give. Then Gillard said the floods were not as bad as the last ones so we didn't need a levey. ..over 2000 homes flooded.. so many more than last time... still hundereds can't get into their homes as they don't have the money to get things fixed... 

---

Of course the floods were not as bad. 35 people died in the previous floods.

There would be numerous reasons that less oney was donated.  The flood levy, or any "fear" of another one, probably had little effect. The only way to know would be for an extensive nation wide survey.  The thing is with large numbers killed more people donate because it has more of an effect on the broader community.  Juat having Anna Bourke on the TV every day talking us through the floods brought more people in touch.

[i-need-a-martini]

---

@catmad*2013 wrote:

---

@izabsmiling wrote:

Catmad, I hope that you get your membership sorted ...maybe they are being kind to you and not charging as you aren't earning hundreds of thousands ? 

---

I hoe they sort it out too... 

will be my first job on Wednesday to call and fix it up... 

I am looking forward to being very invloved with the party... we have a lot of fundraising to do as the coffers are empty after this massive election... time to build the war chest for future elections. I can't believe how much money is spent and it then starts all over again. 

---

Huh? I thought you were a paid up member? You've mentioned this before and I thought that was the reason you manage to get up close and personal with Abbott/Neman?

[*crikey*mate*]

---

@catmad*2013 wrote:

---

@i-need-a-martini wrote:

---

But not if they are Labor, eh? Here is what you wrote earlier in the year about Gillard coming up your way:

I would not go and see her... the fact is that our region needs massive support in the manner of donations.... I would not want a rant from me to distract from the important needs of my community. 

So if it is a Labor politician, it distracts from the community. But if it is a Liberal politician, it lifts the spirits?

---

lol.. see.. I said that I would not want my rant to distract from the important needs of the community.... that is because I know a lot of people liked her to visit.. it boosted their spirits and made them feel like they are being cared for... 

because I didn't like Gillard and would have nothing good to say to her I would not go... 

do you know why the Premiers Fund got so little money???? Because they got hit twice last time with a donation then the levy... they thought we were going to get another levy so they didn't give. Then Gillard said the floods were not as bad as the last ones so we didn't need a levey. ..over 2000 homes flooded.. so many more than last time... still hundereds can't get into their homes as they don't have the money to get things fixed... 

---

what concerns me with that sentence is the whole insurance thing.

Why didn't the government force the insurance companies to honour their policies? Did the government seriously not force the hands of the insurance companies from pressure to avoid another (fake) insurance crisis? Cos there were a few thousand claims in one hit, they didn't make em honour their agreements?

I don't see why the gov should pay for those houses, that is the responsibility of the insurance companies. Where the gov needs to step in (and I don't know if they did) is to get the infrastructure etc all fixed, the stuff that the community relies on. iykwim.

Just had another thought, maybe they held back funds this time because so many people abused it last time? You know, people taking money that, well, they didn't really need - think peeps were able to claim a few thousand dollars there at one stage if they got stranded somewhere? I heard where whilst this happened to peeps, even if they didn't suffer financially (not able to go to work) just cos they were inconvenienced a bit, they dipped into the pot. Yeah, they were "entitled to it" I spose, but I still find that a bit off.

I'm sure a lot of peeps would like a bit of a cash hand out when they were inconvenienced a bit.

[catsnknots]

---

@crikey*mate wrote:

---

@izabsmiling wrote:

 I hope that you get your membership sorted ...maybe they are being kind to you and not charging as you aren't earning hundreds of thousands ? 

---

No need to make it personal, eh?

Anyway, I have a general question about this. Hoping that someone can answer.

I'm getting the impression that to "join" one of the parties that you have to pay a membership fee, is that correct?

Yes, you pay a fee.. adjusted to your situation.. pensioners pay less... so do students... 

What's it mean by a "paid up member"

Just means you have paid your membership

Is this the same for all parties?

I don't know... Iknow the ALP had super cheap membership for $5 if you are interested. All the others i have not bothered to even look at. 

If so, what does the membership fees cover, and to what does it entitle you?

Invites to events, meetings, base membership is used mainly during elections. It gives the party a list of people that are interested in more than just voting. 

It is actually a very personal thing to join a party, people that join are usually very passionate. 

I get that lost of clubs etc have membership fees etc, but without knowing more about this, I reckon politicas is an area that should not impose a fee - everyone should have access to that, not just those who can afford it.

Membership fees are a very important part of fundraising for the parties.. you don't win a seat on passion... you need cash... however I have been very involved over the past two months and I have sat in on meetings and have been very involved and I have not got my membership... 

Oh, and all the helpers at the polling booths - are they volunteers?

yes.. we volunteer... we do not get paid.. the only party that paid it's booth helpers was the PUP party.. $25 per hour which is pretty good. But the PUP party had next to no helpers.. they would have only manned 1/3 of the booths. 

Hope those answer help. 

[*crikey*mate*]

---

@catmad*2013 wrote:

---

@izabsmiling wrote:

Catmad, I hope that you get your membership sorted ...maybe they are being kind to you and not charging as you aren't earning hundreds of thousands ? 

---

I hoe they sort it out too... 

will be my first job on Wednesday to call and fix it up... 

I am looking forward to being very invloved with the party... we have a lot of fundraising to do as the coffers are empty after this massive election... time to build the war chest for future elections. I can't believe how much money is spent and it then starts all over again. 

---

hang on, so you have to pay a membership fee to join an organization to help them to fundraise for their advertising campaign?

OK, so people fundraise to pay for an advertising campaign whilst there are still people unable to go live in their houses after a natural disaster.... seems to me there are some mixed up priorities.

[catsnknots]

---

@i-need-a-martini wrote:

---

@catmad*2013 wrote:

---

@izabsmiling wrote:

Catmad, I hope that you get your membership sorted ...maybe they are being kind to you and not charging as you aren't earning hundreds of thousands ? 

---

I hoe they sort it out too... 

will be my first job on Wednesday to call and fix it up... 

I am looking forward to being very invloved with the party... we have a lot of fundraising to do as the coffers are empty after this massive election... time to build the war chest for future elections. I can't believe how much money is spent and it then starts all over again. 

---

Huh? I thought you were a paid up member? You've mentioned this before and I thought that was the reason you manage to get up close and personal with Abbott/Neman?

---

you don't need to be a paid up member to meet these people... far out... get it right and don't assume... People on here have made many assuptions that have turned out very wrong.. I don't usually correct you because it really does not bother me.. you know what assume does don't you? 

I only corrected Iza because she was making some very wrong and nasty accusations about me.... she needed to be told the truth. 

I said that I had sent my membership papers in.. I have done it three times... in QLD you can't join online like the other State Liberal parties... you need to fill out the paperwork and post it.. 

The first two never arrived via Aust Post... very strange... the last one went through internal mail and is just stuck in a pile because the election campaign was a HUGE effort.