JonDLundyn Parker 2 #13
February 21st 2007 04:02
Chapter 13
With almost every single volunteer in Australia mobilised, as well as the armed forces, fire, police and social services, official church groups working around the clock, the fires were still roaring around the country. Pictures from satellites showed a mass of cloud over the whole continent with no land at all visible. The cloud continued on over the Pacific Ocean and covered most of the Tasman Sea. The country had risen to the call. Those that were not working as volunteers were mostly running essential services. Going to work was not an option.
Financially the Australian dollar had taken a dive against all other currencies but as little trade could be taken care of it did not have a big effect on the person on the street. The share market took a pounding that would take many years to recover from and burnt out farm lands, grazing lands and the grain belts would be also years recovering. Stock numbers on grazing properties had been more than decimated. Worse than the worst drought in living memory. But where there should have been tears and hand wringing there was a stoic determination as people just got on with what they had to do. Insurance companies, well known for hiding behind the "small print" were waiving the terrorist damage clause in policies to read so that at least part payments could be made on property and stock losses. Again this would be recouped as premiums in the future but for now they were playing the good guys.
The Australian government also had a hand in helping everyone effected by the fires. Low interest or no interest loans were guaranteed and tax cuts to those that helped directly and indirectly in the relief efforts. Every Government agency either at national, state or municipal level was stretched to the limit by the work loads placed on them. They helped with the fire fighting, the distributing of food staples and transport. This was a time that the bureaucrats were back benched and the can do will do attitude of the country was plainly seen in every facet of government.
The ports were not moving any freight that had to go via the Great Barrier Reef and the major sugar and coal ports of Queensland were idle. No inbound freight could be bought in through the reef and shipping companies were loath to send their ships the long way round but the demand for consumables soon out weighed the demand for cost cuts. Extra security was required on every ship and each port was guarded by extra police and private security patrols. Road and rail freight was moving slowly as fires came under control but thunderstorms and hot wind driven ash added to the fire toll with new blazes still breaking out but not as many as had been lit by the deceased Nasser.
With almost every single volunteer in Australia mobilised, as well as the armed forces, fire, police and social services, official church groups working around the clock, the fires were still roaring around the country. Pictures from satellites showed a mass of cloud over the whole continent with no land at all visible. The cloud continued on over the Pacific Ocean and covered most of the Tasman Sea. The country had risen to the call. Those that were not working as volunteers were mostly running essential services. Going to work was not an option.
Financially the Australian dollar had taken a dive against all other currencies but as little trade could be taken care of it did not have a big effect on the person on the street. The share market took a pounding that would take many years to recover from and burnt out farm lands, grazing lands and the grain belts would be also years recovering. Stock numbers on grazing properties had been more than decimated. Worse than the worst drought in living memory. But where there should have been tears and hand wringing there was a stoic determination as people just got on with what they had to do. Insurance companies, well known for hiding behind the "small print" were waiving the terrorist damage clause in policies to read so that at least part payments could be made on property and stock losses. Again this would be recouped as premiums in the future but for now they were playing the good guys.
The Australian government also had a hand in helping everyone effected by the fires. Low interest or no interest loans were guaranteed and tax cuts to those that helped directly and indirectly in the relief efforts. Every Government agency either at national, state or municipal level was stretched to the limit by the work loads placed on them. They helped with the fire fighting, the distributing of food staples and transport. This was a time that the bureaucrats were back benched and the can do will do attitude of the country was plainly seen in every facet of government.
The ports were not moving any freight that had to go via the Great Barrier Reef and the major sugar and coal ports of Queensland were idle. No inbound freight could be bought in through the reef and shipping companies were loath to send their ships the long way round but the demand for consumables soon out weighed the demand for cost cuts. Extra security was required on every ship and each port was guarded by extra police and private security patrols. Road and rail freight was moving slowly as fires came under control but thunderstorms and hot wind driven ash added to the fire toll with new blazes still breaking out but not as many as had been lit by the deceased Nasser.
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