I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government will provide $17.7 million to Scouts Australia for the installation of rainwater tanks in Scout halls across the nation.
This funding will assist the Scouts to generate significant water savings while at the same time providing a tangible and ongoing demonstration of actions we can all take to conserve our precious water resources.
This contribution to Scouts Australia marks the centenary of world Scouting, a movement involving around 28 million Scouts worldwide and alumni estimated at more than 500 million people.
There is no more fitting way of commemorating 100 years of Scouting worldwide than helping the Scouts of Australia in this practical way to learn about and practise wise water use.
Australia was one of the first countries in the world to adopt Scouting and 2008 will mark the 100th year of Scouting in Australia.
To commemorate this event and to recognise the contribution that Scouting has made and will continue to make to Australia, I am also pleased to announce that the Australian Government has decided to designate 2008 as the