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WORLD YOUTH DAY 'TO COST MORE THAN $86M'
Monday, 21 April, 2008RELATED CONTENT
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Should taxpayers be forced to foot the bill for the Pope's visit to Sydney? Sydney's World Youth Day event is to cost more than $86 million - but who should pay? And is it worth it?
COMMENTS
First [1][2][3] LastRecent news reports actually bring the sum of tax payers money for "World Catholic Youth Day" closer to a revised 200 million, not 86 million. This is one of the greatest thefts in Australian history, not to mention one of the biggest attempts to brainwash young Australians into the Catholic Church's dogma. Yet Australians seem to be by and large asleep, their brains nullified by many years of programming in that you don't criticize the Church because God will get angry. The last 2,000 years including the inquisition and the burning of heretics and blasphemers at the stake have taken their toll. I wonder if people would be so sheepish if tt was "World Muslim Youth Day".
Firstly the cost is not $86 million as "spun" by both the NSW and Federal Government. The cost is $160 million: $86 million for "policing traffic management security and other crowd related issues" does not include a further $35 million pledge from the Federal Government for unspecified costs and a further $42 million federal and NSW jointly funded package for the Racing Industry for the use of Randwick. $86M $35M $42M = $163 million. Current DIMIA visa's issued and in process for Catholic Pilgrims visiting Australia number less than 26,000. Catholic WYD is just over 70 days away. The Tax payer funding so far per overseas pilgrim registered exceeds A$6000 per pilgrim. Australians, not just NSW tax payers should demand answers. Putting that into perspective Catholic Youth Day (lets call it what it is) is hoping, indeed praying for participation numbers to reach 100,000 including NZ residents (who dont need visas) and all Australian citizens in addition to the International pilgrims already having applied for visas. This is less than one third of the minimum ANNUAL participants
Church and state should never mix by giving 86 million shows how cosey they are
Youre joking? 86 Million of NSW taxpayers money as a "sacrifice" to the catholic church? They must be after the mother of all indulgences!!
This is disgusting. How dare ANYONE, no matter who they are, go to another mans country or house and abuse their hospitality so much so that it is stealing money from people who struggle to make enough money to live, let alone eat properly! I am not religious, though that does not mean that I do not have high morals. I feel for people, and I think about others before myself. Can anyone think of the homeless, the ill, the disabled, and really actually WANT to give some greedy a$$h0le an amazingly huge amount of money to spend on his next bloody hat and robe? World Youth Week, Mellisa, should not be about teaching children how to "think". You make me sick. Think for yourself, be yourself. One week of some old man whose wardrobe costs more than an average house should not be able to just come here and abuse our culture. This is Australia - we are multicultural, and should not allow a "power-religion" to come in and take over. If you REALLY want to make a differece to the youth of Australia, ask THEM what needs to be done, do not TELL them what you THINK needs to be done.
The real mission of the Papacy is to rally the christian countries together and form a confedercy of chrisondom against the muslim threat. The world has forgotten the crussades but the muslims have not.
As a Roman Catholic it is nice to see the Pope visit Australia - but the Catholic Church is rich enough to pay for his vist to Sydney - $86 million of Taxpayers money is better used for us Australians strugling with the HIGH COST of LIVING
I was amost sick when I read $86m.I got A wife and two kids,we are all going with out a few bits and pieces !!The price of petrol and food cost are making it so hard not to mention interest rates !! Govt gets over 50c a litre for petrol ??? SO NO WE SHOULD NOT PAY - Either don't come or the church should pay..
no way, is this a joke, and johnny wouldn't even meet the dali lama
No. It provides no benefit to most people.