The Headstone Project SA is a voluntary organisation established in 2017, dedicated to locating World War 1 veterans buried in unmarked graves throughout South Australia. Each grave identified is then recognised with a prescribed military headstone recognising their service to Australia.
In the last seven years the Headstone Project has installed 108 headstones and identified a further 413 veterans believed to be resting in unmarked graves. To progress their work, Headstone applied for deductable gift recipient (DGR) status which was rejected by the Government in December 2023.
Member for Mayo, Rebekha Sharkie MP, supports the work of Headstone and in question time today requested the Treasurer to overturn the decision to reject the DGR status.
Question put to the Treasurer:
"My question is to the Treasurer.
The Headstone Project undertakes valuable work identifying unmarked graves of World War 1 veterans and then providing them with a modest headstone.
A request for Deductable Gift Recipient status by Headstone Project South Australia was denied last December despite its Tasmanian counterpart receiving DGR status in 2020.
An appeal regarding the DGR status was lodged last month. As Treasurer will you support the Headstone Project South Australia and overturn this decision?"
In answering, the Treasurer committed to "have another look" at the decision, giving some hope that Headstone may receive the same status as its Tasmanian counterpart and continue their valuable work.
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