The Business Council of Australia is mobilising a permanent response to natural disasters, including establishing a fund to support the children of volunteers who have died fighting bushfires and a rebuilding program to create jobs for people who have lost their livelihoods.
The Council on Tuesday called on corporate Australia to help fund a $25 million permanent trust that would pay for the school and tertiary or vocational education of children who have lost a parent to the bushfires. RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons pins the posthumous service medal of Geoffrey Keaton onto his son, Harvey. Geoffrey died fighting bushfires in December.Business Council CEO Jennifer Westacott said it had been "a devastating, frightening and shocking time for Australia and our hearts go out to all of those who have lost so much."
“We are so grateful for the efforts of our brave volunteers and emergency services personnel, just as we are proud of the efforts of the entire Australian community to support those in need," she said.
The Council called on all businesses to provide volunteers with a minimum of 20 days of paid leave as some of Australia's biggest companies - including ANZ, Coca-Cola Amatil, Coles, Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Qantas, Rio Tinto, Virgin Australia, Wesfarmers, Westpac, Woodside and Woolworths - have already done.
Arsonists & Political Climate Activists should be personally footing that bill!
what about the farmers who have comitted suicide as there now is no hope nore support as they are forgotten who is looking after their kids.