Business Speaker Andrew Darbyshire Ideas
Tax Deductibility for Medical Research Institutes
If a business invests money into R&D they are eligible for a 175% tax deduction for the money spent.
However if a donor gives money to a medical research Institute they receive a 100% tax deduction. If they were to receive a slightly greater deduction, say 120%, the added incentive would, increase the amount of money donated to medical research and seed growth industries within Australia. The cost per dollar to the government would be less than 6 cents. The impact has the potential to be huge.
HECS
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Submitted to the Australian Government 2020 summit and selected by the Prime Minister as one of the top 10 ideas - Tertiary students (mentors) gain credits against their HECS debt by mentoring and tutoring young students in the primary and secondary education systems.
Facilitate tertiary students to earn up to say a 20% credit against their HECS debt whilst studying, by spending a number of hours per week, mentoring and tutoring younger disadvantaged students in primary and secondary schools, to help them achieve higher scholastic results. The more hours spent, the higher the value of the credits.
This would firstly, reduce the HECS debt a student had when graduating, making it easier for them to save for a house deposit. Secondly, it would build a sense of purpose and corporate social responsibility into students lives, that would carry over into their careers, and help promote the Prime Minister’s Workplace Giving program.
How it would work:
- School Principals would be issued with vouchers by the ATO.
- Schools list placements on the Australian Government Job Search web site.
- Mentors find available mentoring opportunities through the Australian Government Job Search web site.
- Principals would interview and engage suitable mentors.
- Mentors are issued vouchers by school staff weekly, for hours completed.
- Mentors submit vouchers with their tax returns to offset part of their HECS debt.
Mentoring would be tailored to take advantage of the specific skill set of each student. For example, if a mentor had musical teaching ability, they could be placed into schools with the assistance and guidance of The Song Room. The Song Room is a charity that provides music programs to disadvantaged schools. This year The Song Room will deliver programs to over 40,000 children throughout Australia.
Royal Children’s Hospital - Zoo
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After many years of lobbying by Andrew, the new Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne will incorporate a zoo, run by the Royal Melbourne Zoo.
This innovation will help catapult the new Hospital’s recognition throughout the world.
“Outstanding – congratulations and great response.”
Mark O'Leary, Financial Planner
Attendee AMP Financial Planners Conference 2009
Royal Children’s Hospital - Zoo
Zoo After many years of lobbying by Andrew, the new Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne will incorporate a zoo, run by the Royal Melbourne Zoo. This innovation will help catapult the new Hospital’s recognition throughout the world.
Andrew’s appointments include: * Past board member of the Song Room * Board member of Florey Neurosciences Foundation Council * Past Board member Zoos Victoria Foundation * Board member of Petstock Foundation * Past Chairman of CAPRA - Child Abuse Prevention Research Australia @ Monash * Chairman of The Click Foundation * Fundraising Committee of SecondBite * Patron and Founder of Caitlin’s Retreat * Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors * Chairman of Rees Partners Advisory Group
