Businesses pledge extra $1.28m for drought effort

On Wednesday The Daily Telegraph contacted 40 of Australia’s largest companies asking if they would consider helping our farmers. In just a few hours $1.28 million in donations was pledged.

Edward BoydExclusive

@eboyd_journo

4 min read

August 2, 2018 - 12:40PM

Business

Don't miss out on the headlines from Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.

AUSTRALIA’S biggest companies are getting behind our farmers as they struggle to survive through the worst drought since records began in 1900.

Hardship assistance, fundraising drives, grassroots programs and a whopping $1.28 million in donations were pledged yesterday after The Daily Telegraph contacted 40 corporates asking if they would lend a hand.

Hay bales from Victoria arrive at a farm in Goolhi in NSW. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

ANZ Bank has said it will donate $1 million, Origin Energy $100,000, Suncorp $50,000, Bank of Queensland $50,000, Domino’s Pizza $40,000, Xero $20,000 and the ASX $20,000.

Meanwhile Medibank already donates $120,000 per year to the Red Cross; BlueScope Steel supports the National Centre for Farmer Health; AMP through its foundation supports farmers with the AMP Tomorrow Fund; and Telstra provides hardship assistance.

MORE NEWS:

EMMA HUSAR ACCUSED OF FLASHING STAFFER

POLICE RAIDS ACROSS SYDNEY OVER HAWI MURDER

GRANDMOTHER OF 23 DIES IN TRAGIC HOUSE FIRE

THE FULL BREAKDOWN

ANZ Bank is donating $500,000 to the Financial Counselling Foundation — which provides support in rural communities — and $500,000 to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal — which is currently supporting drought affected communities in Queensland and will use the funds to help expand into NSW.

ANZ group executive Australian business and private banking Mark Hand said customers will also be able to donate to the Red Cross via the Shout For Good platform.

“The drought is having a significant impact on the families, communities and the livelihood of our customers across Australia,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

James Foster pictured on his farm 90km west of Walgett. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“We’ve been working closely with the Federal Government on this additional drought relief and I hope it provides much needed support to help our customers get through these tough times. The Daily Telegraph should also be acknowledged for its work in lifting the awareness of impact the drought is having on Australian farmers.”

Origin Energy is donating $100,000 at a corporate level, supports the Drought Angels charity in QLD, and is matching dollar-for-dollar any money its employees donate to Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale of Hay drive.

“The last thing drought-affected farmers need is added stress from household bills, so they should ring us so we can discuss getting them on the best rate possible, pausing their energy payments and helping them access the various government support programs out there,” Origin’s head of retail Jon Briskin said.

The O'Brien family from Five Ways on their drought ravaged farm. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Suncorp is donating $50,000 to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Appeal, and will also match any employee contribution dollar-for-dollar. The bank said financial relief is also available for Suncorp agribusiness customers impacted by the drought.

Domino’s Pizza is having a ‘doughraiser’, and will donate 50c from every pizza sold across Australia on Wednesday next week from 4pm to 9pm to Rural Aid. The pizza maker will also donate an additional $40,000 to the cause.

“So many farmers out there are doing it really tough at the moment and we want to throw our full support behind them by raising vital funds for Rural Aid,” Domino’s CEO Australia and New Zealand Nick Knight said.

“These farmers are a part of the Domino’s family — they are a part of our food supply, they are our business partners, our customers, and they are fellow Australians, so it’s important we do what we can to help.”

Bank of Queensland CEO Jon Sutton said BOQ will donate $50,000 to Rural Aid Australia to help support Australia’s drought affected farmers.

“As a regional bank, we understand the impact this is having on our regional and agribusiness customers and recognise the need to help Australians doing it tough,” he said.

“Through Rural Aid Australia BOQ will help drought affected farmers and provide them with the support they need during this difficult time.”

Xero Australia managing director Trent Innes visited Dubbo on Tuesday and saw the drought first hand. His company is now donating $20,000 to Drought Angels.

The ASX is also intending to donate $20,000 to drought-stricken farmers.

The generous donations yesterday come after Coles has pledged $5 million, Commonwealth Bank $2 million, Woolworths $1.5 million, Racing NSW $130,000, NAB $100,000, Penrith Panthers $100,000 and AGL $20,000.

SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

► CHAPTER ONE: Inside the squad that beat Sydney’s gangs

► CHAPTER TWO: The real-life police fight club

► CHAPTER THREE: The day bikies went too far

► CHAPTER FOUR: Bikie gangs: Warlords of the underworld

Download The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph app for your smartphone or tablet to get the full story.

APPLE: DOWNLOAD THE APP FOR iOS

GOOGLE PLAY: DOWNLOAD THE APP FOR ANDROID

The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph app for your smartphone and tablet is a crackerjack way to read the stories that matter most to you

Get alerts about the latest breaking news on your locked smartphone screen and then tap to go straight to the article

WHAT YOU GET WITH OUR APP

► Live and latest news — Get the news as it breaks 24-hours a day, 7 days a week

► My News — Your own personal news feed. Tailor your news to get straight to the topics that matter to you

► Today’s Paper — Read the paper anytime, anywhere with the digital replica of the paper, as its printed

► Notifications — Be the first to know when big stories break with instant news alerts straight to the locked screen on your smartphone and tablet

► Live Sport Scores — Stay on the ball with NRL and AFL live sport scores and expect analysis

► Share — Join the conversation and share your favourite stories via Facebook, Twitter or email

► Daily puzzles — With new crosswords and Sudoku puzzles every day, there’s always something to keep your mind active

► Subscribe — Through the app (via iTunes) to start your 30-day FREE trial; then your subscription will automatically renew to $29.99 per month.

FIND OUT MORE HERE ►