Kerry Stokes joins ranks of business donors to bushfire relief

Kerry Stokes has joined fellow billionaires James Packer and Andrew Forrest by pledging $10m to bushfire relief.

The latest bushfire donor, Kerry Stokes. Picture: Hollie Adams

Billionaire businessman Kerry Stokes has pledged $10 million to Australian bushfire relief, amid a growing swell of public and government support.

Seven Group Holdings and Australian Capital Equity, which count Mr Stokes as their biggest shareholder, will together donate at least $5m in cash and $5m in services in kind such as equipment to bushfire relief and rebuilding efforts.

Mr Stokes, who is executive chairman of the diversified Seven Group, said the companies are “uniquely placed to help provide short and long term solutions to the terrible damage being wrought across our country by the bushfires”.

“We will work closely with government and community groups to ensure our assistance is maximised. Senior executives across the group, including ACE chief operating officer, James McMahon, will be leading our combined initiatives.

"Our hearts go out to all the families impacted by the fires. They can be assured all Australians stand with them,” Mr Stokes said.

The move comes two days after News Corp, which publishes The Australian, pledged $5 million to Australian bushfire relief, in addition to a previously announced commercial commitment. The Murdoch family has also personally donated $4m.

Fellow billionaire and businessman James Packer and his family last week lifted their donation to $5 million to support the nation’s volunteer firefighters and save wildlife.

Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest and his wife Nicola have pledged $70m.

The bushfires have prompted millions of dollars in donations from the public, companies and prominent business leaders.

Media group Nine Entertainment, which owns free-to-air television network Nine and several metropolitan newspapers, hasn't publicly disclosed if it has donated money to bushfire relief.

In a memo to Seven Group staff, Mr Stokes and his son Ryan Stokes, who is chief executive of the company, said: "We are all distressed by the devastating impacts of the bushfires occurring across the country – particularly in NSW and Victoria as well as South Australia."

"The loss of life, property, wildlife and the destruction of whole communities have been heartbreaking for all of us. We hope you and your families and friends are safe and have not faced significant impact," the pair said.

The duo said all leave taken to fight fires and support affected communities will be recognised as paid leave.

"Your bravery and commitment has inspired us to reflect on what more we can do as a team.

"These conditions facing our country are on a level that’s unprecedented and we believe a response from our group should reflect the severity of the conditions we face, both in the short and longer term," the pair said in the memo.