Guy Barnett (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I, and also on behalf of Senator Fifield, move:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes:

(i)

the outstanding contribution volunteers make to Australian society, estimated to be worth more than $42 billion per annum,

(ii)

the support and leadership that volunteer support organisations such as Volunteering Australia, their state and territory counterparts and Australian Volunteers International provide to the volunteer sector,

(iii)

that more than 5.4 million adults (34 per cent of the population) do voluntary work each year, contributing more than 700 million hours annually,

(iv)

that volunteering has benefits in promoting a sense of community belonging, personal fulfilment and professional skills development for those who volunteer, as well as providing services to the community that may otherwise not be provided by government,

(v)

the sacrificial efforts of volunteers and volunteer organisations throughout Australia is underrecognised and undervalued and without them society as we know it would collapse,

(vi)

that International Volunteer Day will be celebrated around the world on 5 December 2010, and

(vii)

that the International Year of Volunteers will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2011 and will provide a global opportunity to reinvigorate the spirit of volunteerism through events and programs to be held around the globe; and

(b)

calls on the Government to continue to recognise and support volunteers and volunteer supporting organisations in our community.

Question agreed to.