Zed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to thank all senators for their contribution to the debate and for their support. This bushfire season Australia has faced devastating fires which have disrupted the lives of communities around the nation. The government is supporting volunteer firefighters involved in the firefighting effort as well as ensuring that communities and businesses affected by the bushfires can get back up and running as soon as possible. The government is making the support tax free.

On 29 December 2019, the Prime Minister announced that the payments being made to eligible volunteer firefighters will be free from tax. Further to that, given the exceptional circumstances of these bushfires, on 8 January 2020 the government announced that the disaster payments in response to the 2019-20 bushfires will be free from tax. Schedule 1 to the bill gives effect to the announced tax treatment. Schedule 2 to the bill amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to include the Australian Volunteer Support Trust and the Community Rebuilding Trust on the list of deductible gift recipients. Deductible gift recipient status allows members of the public to receive income tax deductions for gifts of $2 or more made to these organisations.

I want to thank the opposition and other senators for their constructive engagement on this important bill and their support for its swift passage through parliament. I commend it to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.