THE business community will dig deep to help victims of Victoria's devastating bushfires, says Australia's leading business group.
"My message to the business community of Australia is that today is not, cannot be and should not be, business as usual," Mr Anderson told reporters.
"Today is a day where we need to understand what's happening in our workplaces, where so many of our fellow Australians are coming to terms with the magnitude of this natural disaster."
Mr Anderson encouraged the taking up of collections in the workplace for the national bushfire appeal to start rebuilding communities lost in the fires.
"The scale of what has occurred is only being absorbed and indeed, there is still unfolding drama occurring ... we need to pause, take breath, think of practical ways in which we can support each other," he said.
Asked whether some of the $42 billion stimulus package should be diverted into rebuilding communities, Mr Anderson said the Australian business community would contribute in a way it had never done before.
"We won't need to draw on too many other resources if we all put our mind to what needs to be done," he said.
Mr Anderson had been due to give evidence on Monday morning to the Senate inquiry into the economic stimulus package, but the hearing has been suspended until 4pm (AEDT).
AAP
