In an effort to address the cost-of-living crisis impacting Australians, legislation will be introduced by Senator Dean Smith of Western Australia, aiming to modify the tax system to favor the donation of fresh produce over disposal. The proposed Private Senator's Bill, titled the Incentivising Food Donations to Charitable Organisations Bill, seeks to enhance the volume of meals delivered to those in need and support Australia's goal to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030.
The initiative, drawing inspiration from the National Food Donation Tax Incentive shaped by Foodbank, SecondBite, and OzHarvest, encourages food sector entities to contribute surplus goods to food relief organizations. This approach has received positive feedback during Parliamentary inquiries and aligns with successful international models in countries like France and the United States.
Representatives from Foodbank Australia, OzHarvest, and SecondBite have expressed strong support for the bill, highlighting the urgent demand for food relief and the potential for this policy to alleviate food insecurity while addressing food wastage. The legislation is poised for introduction in the Senate, with subsequent referral to a committee for further examination and stakeholder input, aiming for a Parliamentary report by the end of October.
Source: secondbite.org