Volunteer Fire Brigades: Donations

Mr Fletcher asked:

In respect of the Government’s February 2010 commitment to extend tax deductible donation support to all volunteer bushfire brigades,

a) what progress has been made on this commitment,

b) what steps remain to be taken, and

c) by what date will the commitment be fulfilled

Mr Shorten responded:

The Government has fulfilled its commitment to extend tax deductible donation support to volunteer fire brigades and related emergency services. This recognises the essential community service performed by these organisations.

Legislation allowing all entities providing volunteer based emergency services, including volunteer bushfire brigades, to access tax deductible donations, and extending deductible gift recipient status to all state and territory government bodies that coordinate volunteer fire brigades and State Emergency Service units, received Royal Assent on 7 December 2010.

The legislation allows brigades to collect tax deductible donations, either through a centralised public fund administered by the coordinating body in that state, or through a public donation fund established by individual brigades.