We will encourage charity:Abbott

Tony Abbott says a Coalition government would “encourage a culture of philanthropy and giving in Australia.

In a policy statement,  just issued, the Federal  Opposition Leader said it would do that by re-establishing the Community Business Partnership to assist Australian charities and community groups by removing unnecessary red tape and costs.

“Philanthropic endeavours strengthen and empower communities, harness the inherent virtue of Australians and encourage a greater sense of purpose and belonging across communities and incomes,” Mr Abbott said.

“We believe that a community that freely gives of its time and its financial resources is a community with a stronger social fabric and more social capital,” he added.

“We don’t necessarily want government to do less for people.

” But we certainly want people to have the capacity to do more for themselves because that’s the way that stronger communities are built,” the Opposition Leader said.

“A Coalition government would, within six months of election, re-establish the Community Business Partnership to advise government on encouraging a culture of philanthropy and giving,” he added.