THE HON TONY SMITH MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT TREASURER
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR CASEY
AND
SENATOR MITCH FIFIELD
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR DISABILITIES ,
CARERS AND THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR
SENATOR FOR VICTORIA
17 August 2009
BUSHFIRE APPEAL FUND AMENDMENTS
The Federal Coalition welcomes the announcement by the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, that the Government will introduce amendments to taxation law to allow the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund to undertake the charitable activities intended by all those who donated to the Fund.
The legislative changes recognise the extraordinary circumstances of those affected by the bushfires and will allow the fund to provide financial assistance to speed up the recovery process, Mr. Smith said.
The changes reflect the needs of individuals and communities affected by the Victorian Bushfires and will provide tax exemptions for financial assistance grants and payments made by the Fund. The changes will importantly also allow the fund to provide additional recovery and rebuilding services to affected communities.
The changes will have an effective date of 29 January 2009 to include those affected by the Delburn bushfires, which began prior to Black Saturday.
The Federal Coalition will assist with the speedy passage of legislation through the House of Representatives and the Senate in the same way we immediately supported the passage of legislation to establish the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund as a charity under tax law, Mr.
Smith said.