Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

Australians urged to give from the workplace

A collaborative initiative to help build Australia’s already vibrant culture of giving, Workplace Giving Australia, was launched at an event in Melbourne today.

An initiative of the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership, launched by the Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, Workplace Giving Australia enables businesses to provide employees with the opportunity to make regular donations to eligible charitable organisations through payroll deductions.

“The Workplace Giving Australia initiative includes practical measures to help businesses set up a voluntary and flexible workplace giving programme,” Senator Patterson said.

“The Howard Government has implemented a suite of taxation measures to provide a national taxation framework conducive to encouraging philanthropy by individuals, families and businesses.

“Employees will now have a simple and convenient means to turn their generosity into a long-lasting commitment, whilst receiving an immediate tax benefit from their pay.

“For businesses, there is a competitive advantage in actively participating in the community, including increased business reputation and profile, and being regarded as an ’employer of choice.

“Recipient community and charitable organisations benefit from increased funding certainty through regular income, coupled with reduced administration costs,” Senator Patterson said.

The Workplace Giving Australia initiative has three components, a Workplace Giving Kit, including an information booklet and CD ROM and a Workplace Giving Support Programme for Business, including 23 free workshops and an email service offering day-to-day support at enquiry@workplacegivingaustralia.org.au. There will also be a Workplace Giving Support Programme for the Australian Public Service.

The Workplace Giving Australia Support Programmes involve collaboration with three non-profit advisory partners: the Australian Charities Fund, Charities Aid Foundation, and United Way Community Funds of Australia.

For more information on the Workplace Giving Australia initiative see www.partnerships.gov.au.