The Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, has today announced eight Australian organisations funding overseas development projects have been granted tax deductible status.
The organisations support aid projects in a wide variety of developing countries including Bali, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Nepal, Somalia, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan and Uganda.
The eight organisations are:
- The Marsh Foundation
- Tabitha Foundation Australia
- Teachers Across Borders Australia Inc
- Tradewinds Tea & Coffee Pty Ltd
- Australian Doctors for Africa
- The Mitrataa Foundation
- Caring & Living As Neighbours
- Australia Bringing Hope
"I have approved these eight organisations as developing country relief funds to help them continue their important work overseas in Australia's name," the Assistant Treasurer said.
"The Rudd Government wants to do all it can to help the spread of philanthropy and charitable works, whether it's at home or in regions abroad that need charitable aid and assistance."
"All eight of these organisations I am announcing today have established public funds that meet the requirements of the Income Tax Assessment Act and Australians giving to these funds will be able to claim a tax deduction."
"These new listings mean more than 160 Australian overseas aid organisations now have tax deductible status."
"These funds are part of a long tradition of Australian organisations delivering assistance in developing countries."
"They play an important role in bringing relief and hope to people all over the world and also help Australia's overseas relations."
"I also applaud them for giving young Australians the opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge in environments that will stay with them forever," the Assistant Treasurer said.
A Notice giving four of these funds tax deductible status was published in Special Gazette S163 of 7 October 2009. A Notice making the remaining four funds tax deductible will be published as soon as possible.
Additional Information
The Marsh Foundation - primary activities are the provision of medical equipment, teaching and health education in Bali.
Tabitha Foundation Australia - works in rural and urban Cambodian communities to give them necessary skills to help them establish productive lives with jobs, land, homes, better health and sanitation.
Teachers Across Borders Australia - conducts training workshops for local teachers, other educators and education administrators in Cambodia.
Tradewinds Tea & Coffee - encourages fair trade through the importation of packaged, value added tea and coffee from developing countries. Profits are sent to organisations in Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea and East Timor for development projects.
Australian Doctors for Africa - provides medical services, particularly orthopaedic surgery, in Somalia, Ethiopia and Madagascar.
The Mitrataa Foundation - works with women and girls in Nepal on education and training initiatives.
Caring & Living As Neighbours – provides access to lifesaving drugs and facilitates changes to create a sustainable improvement in the lives of children and families affected by congenital adrenal hyperplasia in Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and Pakistan.
Australia Bringing Hope – works in Uganda in areas of social development priority, including vocational education.