‘Twiggy’ and Nicola Forrest make $70 million pledge to national bushfire relief

Billionaire Andrew Forrest and his wife are parting with tens of millions of dollars and setting up an “army” of volunteers to help Australia’s bushfire crisis.

Billionaire Australian businessman Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has announced a $70 million bushfire recovery package.

The WA mining magnate and his wife, Nicola, will spend $50 million on a “national blueprint” for fire and disaster resilience to develop new approaches to fight the threat of bushfires.

“We know that this is a matter of national resilience,” Mr Forrest told reporters in Perth today.

“This goes to a holistic assessment of where the nation is at and what we need to do to improve resilience.”

In addition, he will provide $10 million through the couple’s Minderoo Foundation to build a “volunteer army” to deploy to regions devastated by bushfires and another $10 million for communities in collaboration with the Australian Red Cross, the Salvation Army and other agencies on the ground.

The foundation has also established a Fire Fund and the Forrests will match every dollar donated with two dollars.

“We are here representing a family and from our family to your families, your fire-affected families, the wildlife, the children who are devastated, the parents who have lost farms and properties and homes and dreams, we are here with our family to help support your family,” he said.

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Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest. Picture: Marie Nirme

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Mr Forrest said they are “so proud to be Australians” and to see everyone rallying together “during this cataclysmic time”.

He hopes to raise $500 million through a global campaign to establish a long-term bushfire research project.

“We are stepping up, as we did for the Black Saturday bushfires, to go out to the communities in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales, find out what you need, what your families need, what your communities need and to help you, not rebuild to perhaps what you had, but to plan for what could be – what may be even better,” he said.

“I would just like to say, on behalf of all of the Minderoo Foundation and all West Australians, that we weep along with Australia, along with you and, as a family and as a foundation, we would like to step up and help you. Thank you.”

Today we launch the Minderoo Fire Fund. A comprehensive $70 million relief package designed to not only respond to the ongoing crisis and rebuild communities, but to establish long-term resilience by funding research into and applying new techniques in fire and disaster relief. pic.twitter.com/OQBQJ0JkBp

— Minderoo Foundation (@minderoo) January 9, 2020

The federal government has committed at least $2 billion towards the bushfire recovery and established a new national agency to co-ordinate efforts on the ground, to be headed by former Australian Federal Police commissioner Andrew Colvin.

The NSW and Victorian governments have set up similar agencies at a state level.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier this week said the federal government would established a National Bushfire Recovery Agency. Picture: Rohan Thomson/Getty Images

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said “tremendous generosity” has been expressed by many, from billionaires “down to boys and girls raising money in their local schools”.

“Can I start by acknowledging the tremendous generosity of so many Australians, whether it is James Packer or Anthony Pratt, or Andrew Forrest, or whoever it happens to be,” he told reporters in Canberra on Thursday afternoon.

“The generosity of that response, I think, has been simply extraordinary.

“It’s important that we work hard to best channel and co-ordinate that support that is coming through into the areas of greatest need.”

Mr Colvin said they had spoken to Mr Forrest.

“Very generous what he’s put together,” he said today.

“He’s done this before. Last thing I’m gonna do is step in the way of that. I will make sure it’s best utilised.”

Nicola and Andrew Forrest.

#BREAKING WA mining magnate Andrew Forrest and his wife Nicola have donated $70 million towards the national bush fire relief and recovery effort.

Just incredible.

— Jane Norman (@janeenorman) January 9, 2020

Mr Forrest is consistently ranked among the richest Australians and is seventh on Forbes’ ‘Australia’s 50 Richest People’ list with a net worth of $US8.8 billion ($A12.8 billion).

The founder, chairman and former chief executive of Fortescue Metals Group said he will arrange for hundreds of volunteers – drawn from the agriculture and mining sectors – to assist with recovery efforts in “afflicted” parts of NSW and Victoria.

“We are putting together a small army of 1250 skilled personnel from first-aid, emergency first responders, tradespeople, electricians, carpenters, project managers, construction and clean-up personnel,” he said today.

Their travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the couple’s Minderoo Foundation, established in 2001.

RESPOND - We’ve committed to mobilise volunteers from Western Australia to assist operations and relief efforts in Victoria, NSW and South Australia. Learn more at https://t.co/psnIaJe8pR pic.twitter.com/HHEX5dWyCY

— Minderoo Foundation (@minderoo) January 9, 2020

Fortescue Metals today announced a $1 million donation to the foundation’s Fire Fund.

“It is heartbreaking to see the devastating impact the bushfire crisis is having on people, communities and wildlife across Australia and our thoughts are with those affected and the emergency personnel on the ground fighting these fires,” chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said.

“At Fortescue, our values of family and safety reminds us daily to look out for your mates, and this extends to supporting our fellow Australians in their time of need.”

In 2017, Mr Forrest made Australia’s single biggest philanthropic donation of $400 million to a variety of social and scientific causes.

Then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull described it as an “extraordinary act” and gesture of love.

Andrew and Nicola Forrest. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

According to its website, the Minderoo Foundation is a “modern philanthropic organisation” taking on “tough, persistent issues with the potential to drive massive change”.

Other projects include cancer research, the protection of oceans across the globe, and missions to end modern slavery and the disparity between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

The donations to the country’s bushfire crisis have come thick and fast this week from some of the world’s rich and famous including $5 million from the Packer family and Crown.

The Paul Ramsay Foundation yesterday said it had “set aside $30 million” to support communities affected by the bushfires, with an initial $3 million to be given to the Red Cross, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and St Vincent de Paul Society.

The remaining funds will be allocated to longer-term work with disadvantaged communities, the foundation - set up by the late private hospital tycoon Paul Ramsay - said in a statement.

Fellow billionaire Anthony Pratt, who owns package and recycling business Visy Industries, has promised to donate $1 million to the FRRR.

Shopping centre owner and billionaire John Gandel and his philanthropist wife Pauline have given $1 million split across appeals by the Australian Red Cross, Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul Society.

Actor Chris Hemsworth pledged $1 million on behalf of his family to bushfire relief, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban jointly donated $500,000 to local fire services, and Kylie and Dannii Minogue said their family were handing over $500,000 for “immediate firefighting efforts” and ongoing support.

Australian comedian Celeste Barber had raised $48 million via a Facebook fundraiser by Thursday afternoon.

American singer Pink has donated $500,000 while heavy metal band Metallica yesterday made a $750,000 commitment to the NSW Rural Fire Service and the Country Fire Authority in Victoria.

Hospitality heavyweight Justin Hemmes, who heads the Merivale empire, has donated $500,000 to the NSW RFS and hopes the amount is matched by donations from staff and patrons.

Sir Elton John announced a $1 million donation at his Sydney concert on Tuesday night while Ellen DeGeneres this week started a GoFundMe for “Australia Bushfire Relief” that has almost reached $1 million, with a goal of $5 million.