Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak in support of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Bourke Street Fund) Bill 2017. This bill will provide tax deductibility for donations to the Bourke Street Fund, which has been established in the wake of the terrible loss of six innocent lives on 20 January this year in Melbourne's CBD. Labor wholeheartedly supports the Commonwealth and Victorian governments in their efforts to support this fund and to ensure that all those affected by this tragedy receive every support they need.

The fund itself will be overseen by an independent panel that will make decisions on how money donated to the fund should be spent, in consultation with the Victorian government, with a focus given to the families of the deceased. The bill will make the necessary changes to the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to add the Bourke Street Fund to the list of deductible gift recipients. This will allow members of the public to claim donations to the fund as tax deductible, as is wholly appropriate. The specific detail of how that will function is available in the explanatory memorandum.

I would like to also put on the public record my and the Labor Party's appreciation for the excellent work of our professional emergency services personnel in responding to this tragedy and also to note the courageous actions of many bystanders who were witnesses to the incident and offered their own help to the injured. Even when they are confronted with utterly senseless tragedy, it is always heartening to see the way in which Australians respond with characteristic empathy, generosity and resilience.

I have no doubt many Australians were as inspired as I was by the stories of those bystanders who demonstrated selfless courage in rushing to the aid of injured strangers or drew solace upon seeing the overflowing floral tributes and letters that grew into an impromptu memorial around the steps of Melbourne's historic GPO. And, of course, many Australians have shown tremendous generosity and donated to the fund, which has now raised in excess of $1 million. I thank those who have donated, and I commend the bill to the Senate.