Andrew Leigh

Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2023-2024
House of Representatives, 31 May 2023

The Community Council for Australia provides an important platform for Australia's charities and not-for-profits. It aims to promote the values of the sector, to improve the way people invest in the sector, to build collaboration in sector efficiency and to educate organisations. As its chair, Tim Costello, puts it:

Imagine an Australia where your postcode or cultural identity does not define your chance of getting an education or a job or living a long life? Imagine an Australia where creativity drives real innovation and achievement, not just in our arts, but in the schools and local communities? Imagine a humane and sustainable Australia, where people are more connected and engaged in the communities they live and work in, and where this involvement is reflected in the ways we form policies and laws? Imagine a generous and kind Australia where we take pride in supporting the less fortunate in their own communities, in our region and beyond? … Imagine the Australia we want.

I want to thank the important role the Community Council for Australia has played, particularly under the leadership of Tim Costello and David Crosbie. They met, to hold their annual general meeting, here in Parliament House last week. I was pleased to welcome to the building Carol Bennett and Kate Seselja from the Alliance for Gambling Reform; Nicola Stokes from the AMP Foundation; Marc Purcell from the Australian Council for International Development; Susan Pascoe from ACFID; Chris Kwong from the Australian Red Cross; Deirdre Cheers from Barnardos Australia; Alison Brook from Carers Australia; Jon Bisset from the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia; David Crosbie, Deborah Smith and Nick Nguyen from the Community Council for Australia; Caterina Georgio from FARE; Claire Robbs from Life Without Barriers; Ben Gathercole from Menslink; Anne-Marie Baker from Mission Australia; Anna Draffin from the Public Interest Journalism Initiative; Richard Mussell from RSPCA Australia; Paul Porteous from the Social Leadership Foundation; Suzie Riddell from Social Ventures Australia; Dane Moores from Settlement Services International; Amanda Power from St John Ambulance Australia; and Louise Baxter from the Starlight Foundation. I've held the charities portfolio for my party since 2013 and have benefited greatly from the wisdom and insights of the Community Council for Australia.