Kelly O'Dwyer (Higgins, Liberal Party, Minister for Revenue and Financial Services) Share this | Hansard source

Firstly, I would like to thank those members who have contributed to this debate. As we are all aware, on 20 January this year a senseless and vicious attack took place in central Melbourne that resulted in death and injury to innocent people and shocked our nation. The crime was evil and incomprehensible. What remains for us as a community is to remember those whose lives have been taken and console and support those for whom life will never be the same. Australians are overwhelmingly good and kind. In difficult times, I am always buoyed by the unfailing generosity of people, who simply want to help.

To facilitate this desire, the Victorian government announced the creation of a fund to provide financial support to the immediate families of the deceased as well as the injured and their immediate families. To ensure that donations would be tax deductible, the Prime Minister and I announced that the fund would receive deductible gift recipient status and committed $100,000 from the Australian government to the fund. This bill ensures the deductible gift recipient status of the Bourke Street Fund and will assist the fund to attract public financial support. In doing so, this is but one way in which we can demonstrate our care, empathy and support for those so tragically affected. I commend the bill to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

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