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Published 15:55 IST, April 16th 2019

Australia PM rejects idea of setting up charitable fund to rebuild Notre Dame cathedral

The Australian government on Tuesday, April 16 rejected the idea of setting up a charitable fund for those who want to help rebuild the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris after a devastating fire raged through the iconic 12th-century church

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The Australian government on Tuesday, April 16 rejected the idea of setting up a charitable fund for those who want to help rebuild the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris after a devastating fire raged through the iconic 12th-century church.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday said "It's a pretty special place and to see it in flames today was just really sad. Paris is an eternal city and it will rebuild and it will restore." 

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READ: Deeply Moved By Outpouring From India After Notre Dame Fire: French Envoy

However, he dismissed a suggestion by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull that the government should set a charitable fund for people who wanted to donate to Notre Dame restoration efforts.

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"I'm sure that President Macron is able to deal with this as is the Catholic Church and, if individual Australians want to do something, well, it's a free country - they can do whatever they like," he said , adding "We're not making a government fund." 

Turnbull had said there was the precedent for establishing a charitable fund, along with a possible direct government contribution.

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The inferno destroyed the roof of the 850-year-old UNESCO world heritage landmark, whose spectacular Gothic spire collapsed as orange flames and clouds of grey smoke billowed into the sky.

READ: Notre-Dame Cathedral 'epicentre Of Our Life', Will Rebuild It, Vows Emmanuel Macron

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Pledges to donate millions of euros in cash and materials poured in Tuesday in the aftermath of the massive fire.

15:55 IST, April 16th 2019