Australia’s business community is rallying to support Victorian communities ravaged by the worst bushfires in Australia’s history.
ANZ, Westpac and Commonwealth Bank have each donated $1 million to the State Government’s Victorian Bushfire Appeal, while National Australia Bank has established its own $1 million relief fund.
“The bank is ready to provide practical assistance and we will work with our customers, staff and communities to provide relief,” NAB chief executive Cameron Clyne said yesterday.
All four banks will allow the public to make donations to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal via its branches. The Bendigo Bank has also launched an appeal through its branches.
Department stores giant Myer has also established its own bushfire appeal, with all proceeds to be distributed to the Salvation Army.
At least 108 people have died in the fires, which swept through regional Victoria on the weekend. More than 700 homes have been lost and some entire towns – including popular tourist spots Marysville and Kinglake – have been all but wiped out. It is estimated that 5000 people have been made homeless.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has offered the army’s help with the disaster recovery process, and Victorian Premier John Brumby has announced $10 million in emergency funding, including grants of $22,000 for those who have lost their homes.
“This is of a level of horror that few of us anticipated,” Brumby told reporters this morning.
Early estimates put the insurance bill from the disaster at $1 billion, and it is likely to take years to rebuild basic infrastructure in the hardest-hit regions.
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Peter Anderson expressed his shock and dismay, saying Australians at work on Monday should reflect on the scale of the tragedy.
”My message to the business community of Australia is that today is not, cannot be and should not be, business as usual,” Mr Anderson told reporters.
”Today is a day where we need to understand what’s happening in our workplaces, where so many of our fellow Australians are coming to terms with the magnitude of this natural disaster.”
Individuals, businesses and organisations wishing to make a donation to the State Government’s Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund can go to www.redcross.org.au or call the toll free number 1800 811 700
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
