Mr CHARLES (2:20 PM) —My question is to the Treasurer. Would the Treasurer please advise the House how members of the Australian public can make donations to assist the victims of the Bali bombing and their families.

Mr COSTELLO (Treasurer) —I thank the honourable member for La Trobe for his question. There are many Australians who have been looking for ways in which they can show tangible support for the victims of the Bali bombing and their families. They have been looking for a vehicle by which they can practically help those who are in need. Today the Australian Red Cross is launching an Australia-wide appeal to help the victims and their families. As a humanitarian relief organisation, Red Cross is already providing support to victims in a number of ways—with blood and blood products, registration of evacuees, coordination of accommodation and personal support. Through the Bali appeal, the Australian Red Cross will help alleviate the loss suffered by victims who have been injured, who have lost close family members or who will suffer sustained physical and emotional trauma.

It is important that the funds raised are directed to where there is the greatest need and where other sources of funds and support are lacking. The Red Cross will liaise with government agencies to determine the areas of greatest need. Donations can be made in either of two categories: to assist Australian victims and their families or to assist the Red Cross to continue their work in providing relief and addressing medical supplies in the affected areas in Bali. The Red Cross advise that they will spend 90 per cent of donations on providing direct assistance to the victims and that residual funds will be used to recover administrative costs, in accordance with the Australian Council for Overseas Aid code of conduct and Australian Taxation Office rules.

Under Australian tax law, the Australian Red Cross Society is considered to be a deductible gift recipient, which means that gifts or donations of $2 or more to the Red Cross are deductible for income tax purposes. The Commonwealth will be making a contribution of $1 million to the appeal. Donations can be made online at the Australian Red Cross web site, by mail, by telephone or at any branch of the National Australia Bank.