The evidence continues to mount up that Australia's Charities and Not-for-profits Commission is doing great work. Surely it's time for the Abbott Government and Kevin Andrews to start paying attention?
MEDIA RELEASE
USA WANTS A CHARITIES COMMISSION. WHY DOESN'T MR ABBOTT?
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission has proven to be so successful that charity regulators from across the USA are now looking to replicate it. This is further proof that the Abbott Government has got in wrong in moving to scrap the commission.
One of the commission’s senior executives was recently invited to the United States to tell the National Association of State Charity Officials more about how the regulator’s work is increasing transparency and cutting red tape for not-for-profits.
In particular, the US group is looking at replicating Australia’s national Charities Register to increase accountability and protect donors against scams.
It is also considering the Charity Passport initiative, which allows not-for-profits to report once to the charities commission and then have this information shared with other government agencies.
The US group’s strong interest in the charities commission could not be further removed from the Abbott Government’s antipathy towards it. Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews continues to insist that the agency should be abolished despite clear and mounting evidence of its benefits.
A recent Pro Bono Australia survey found that 82 per cent of not-for-profits believe the commission is important or extremely important for a thriving not-for-profit sector.
A report by Ernst & Young also found the commission saves charities millions of dollars a year by reducing their compliance burden and streamlining government reporting.
Not-for-profits know it, donors know it, and now even international agencies know it: Australia’s charities commission does great work in supporting charities and protecting consumers.
Not content with being the only country to scrap its carbon price, the Abbott Government now wants Australia to be the only country to abolish its charities commission.
Kevin Andrews should take off his ideological blindfold and see what is staring him in the face: the charities commission must be kept.
FRIDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: JENNIFER RAYNER 0428 214 856
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