Source: Office of the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP

Media Release

Kirribilli House to open for Australian Charities

26 May 2008

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will open the doors of Kirribilli House in Sydney so that registered Australian Charities can use it for fundraising events.

Charities with a national focus, such as St Vincent de Paul and The Salvation Army, will be invited to provide proposals to the Government to use the official residence for a fundraising event.

Up to ten charities will secure the right to hold a fundraiser at Kirribilli House each year.

The Prime Minister believes charity organisations may wish to use Kirribilli House for open days, receptions, dinners or garden tours to raise funds for the important work they undertake for disadvantaged Australians.

“We must provide a strong support network for the Australian charities that provide such critical services through their national community work.”

“Kirribilli House sits on one of Australia’s most beautiful icons – Sydney Harbour and could greatly assist national charities with their fundraising.”

“Therese and I really hope that Australian charities can use this official residence to raise funds to support their critical work.”

The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet will initially undertake an expression of interest project to gauge the interest levels of Australian National Charities that wish to use Kirribilli.

The Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet will then examine the strength of proposals for specific events and work with charities to coordinate their events. Charities will not pay a fee to use Kirribilli for their event, however they will pay for the cost of holding the event – i.e. catering and staff.