Open Letter to Government: Civil Society Support for Independent Regulator - 18 March 2014
RE: Civil Society Support for Independent Regulator
See Media Release here.
Dear Prime Minister
We want to make it very clear to the Commonwealth Government and wider community that like most charities across Australia, we value the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission, and we want to see it continue its impressive work.
Charities and the broader not-for-profit sector are at the heart of Australian communities. They are there in the good times and bad. They provide support to the most vulnerable; lift our sights and our hearts through culture, sport, education, welfare, support for the aged or the unwell; promote our spirituality; protect our animals and our environment; play our part internationally, and ensure those less able can still participate.
The not-for-profit sector also makes a major economic contribution, employing approximately one million Australians and turning over close to $100 billion each year. In tight economic times, this sector needs to be both productive and effective, regardless of whether it is supported by tax payer funds, self-generated income, public donations or the efforts of our many volunteers. Governments all know we need a strong not-for-profit sector in this country if we are to be both economically strong, and enjoy healthy fulfilling lives.
The establishment of an independent national charities regulator was first seriously proposed through a Howard Government review of the definition of charity in 2001, and has since been supported by many, including the Productivity Commission, the Henry Review and Senate Inquiries involving hundreds of submissions and numerous public hearings.
The launch of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission in 2012 was a major step forward in creating a regulatory environment that works for the not-for-profit sector rather than against it. In little over one year of operation, the ACNC has built a strong positive reputation by establishing the first public national register of charities, registering more than 2,600 new charities, responding to over 70,000 requests for information from charities and the broader community, investigating and resolving over 200 complaints against charities, and monitoring the extent of red tape and level of public trust and confidence in our charities. The ACNC has done what few new regulators achieve – gained widespread support across the sector it is regulating.
Governments in Ireland and Jamaica are the latest to set up new charity regulators as part of a world-wide push to improve public transparency of the charities sector, increase giving, cut compliance costs and reduce red tape.
The Australian Government intends to shut down the ACNC as soon as it can, and in the meantime, cut its funding and capacity. It is planning to return the key role of determining charitable status to the Australian Taxation Office, re-creating a conflict of interest. This approach is, at best, an unfortunate policy for charities across Australia and our community. Red tape will continue to grow, the size of the bureaucracy will grow, and services to the sector and the public will be reduced.
The vital work of the ACNC must be maintained, for the benefit of charities, not-for-profits and the many communities they serve.
Signatories
Professor Ann O’Connell, NFP Project
Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne
Belinda Drew, Chief Executive Officer
Foresters Community Finance
Brett Williamson, Chief Executive Officer
Volunteering Australia
Dr Caroline Lambert, Executive Director
YWCA Australia
Dr Cassandra Goldie, Chief Executive Officer
Australian Council of Social Services
Carrie Fowlie, Executive Officer
Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT
Carrillo Gantner AO, Chairman
Sydney Myer Fund
Cate Sayers, Chief Executive Officer
e.motion21
Fr Chris Riley, Chief Executive Officer
Youth Off The Streets
Chris Voll, Chair
Church Communities Australia
Danny Vadasz, Acting Chief Executive Officer
Australian Conservation Foundation
Dawn O’Neil AM, Collective Impact Consultant,
Dawn O’Neil & Associates
David Crosbie, Chief Executive Officer
Community Council for Australia
Dr Dennis Young, Executive Director
DRUG ARM Australasia
Professor David Gilchrist, Director of Curtin Not-for-profit Initiative
Curtin University
Professor Dale Pinto, Professor of Taxation Law and Head of Department (Taxation)
Curtin Law School, Curtin University
Evelyn O’Loughlin, Chief Executive Officer
Volunteering SA & NT
Associate Professor, Fiona Martin
Australian School of Business, University of New South Wales
Fiona McLeay, Chief Executive Officer
Justice Connect
Graeme Danks, Trustee
Danks Trust
Heather Neil, Chief Executive Officer
RSPCA Australia
Jack Heath, Chief Executive Officer
SANE Australia
James Pitts, Chief Executive Officer
Odyssey House McGrath Foundation
Jane Hayden, Chief Executive Officer
Lifeline National Office
Jill Reichstein, Chair
Changemakers Australia
Jill Rundle, CEO
WANADA
John Nicolades, Chief Executive Officer
Bridge Housing Ltd.
John Ryan, Chief Executive Officer
ANEX
Karen Barnett, Chief Executive Officer
Port Phillip Housing Association
Kate Davidson, Chief Executive Officer
Community Colleges Australia
Lisa Grinham, Chief Executive Officer
Charities Aid Foundation Australia
Marc Purcell, Executive Director
Australian Council for International Development
Martyn Myer AO, President
The Myer Foundation
Mary Jo Capps, Chief Executive Officer
Musica Viva Australia
Associate Professor Matthew Harding, NFP Project
Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne
Mark Watt, Chief Executive Officer
Whitelion
Matthew Noffs, Acting Chief Executive Officer
Ted Noffs Foundation
Michael Thorn, Chief Executive
Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education
Michael Traill, Chief Executive
Social Ventures Australia
Nieves Murray, Chief Executive Officer
IRT Group
Pam Thyer, National Director
Missions Interlink
Paul Arnott, Executive Director
Churches of Christ Vic and Tas
Paul Ronalds, Chief Executive Officer
Save the Children
Peter LeCornu, Chief Executive Officer
St John Ambulance Australia
Peter Ridley, Chief Financial Officer
Hillsong Church
Peter Winneke, Head of Philanthropic Services
The Myer Family Company
Rob Evers, Chief Executive Officer
Wesley Mission Victoria
Robert Dunn, Chief Executive Officer
Opportunity International Australia
Rod Wellington, Chief Executive Officer
SARRAH
Ron Mell, Chief Executive Officer
YMCA Australia
Sam Biondo, Executive Officer
Victorian Alcohol & Drug Association
Sandie de Wolf, Chief Executive Officer
Berry Street
Sandra Dill, Chief Executive Officer
Access Australia
Sue Donnelly, Executive Director
Queensland Theatre Company
Dr Stephen Judd, Chief Executive Officer
HammondCare
Tim Costello AO, Chair
Community Council for Australia
Tony Lawson, Chair
Consumers Health Forum of Australia
Viv Allanson, Chief Executive Officer
Maroba Lodge
