Nick Xenophon (SA, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Conroy. It relates to the tax deductibility status of public donations for the building and refurbishment of not-for-profit, private childcare centres, of which there are some 100 in South Australia. I have been contacted by the director of a not-for-profit childcare centre in Adelaide. This centre has not had any refurbishment for over 30 years. The location and demographic make-up of the centre has made it difficult for them to access grants for undertaking these refurbishments. Moreover, not-for-profit childcare centres generally do not receive any direct government subsidies. Last year the centre’s leadership launched a fundraising drive with parents to raise the funds to make the necessary improvements for high-quality care and learning environments. These changes would also allow them to address the significant demand and long waiting list for child care, which is a problem in their community, as it is in many other Australian communities. However, the director of the centre was informed by the tax office that these donations would not be tax deductible. Can the minister confirm that there is no tax deductibility for donations to not-for-profit childcare providers? And does he agree that deductibility for donations would be an incentive for the public to donate?