Sector leaders welcome win for charities as Federal, State and Territory Governments jointly commit to #FixFundraising
14 Dec 2021
The #FixFundraising coalition commends Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s announcement (with Assistant Minister Ben Morton) that the Council on Federal Financial Relations (CFFR) has made charitable fundraising rules reform one of its top 10 priorities for 2022. Led by the Commonwealth and Victoria a proposal for a national framework will be developed for the CFFR’s consideration. Once implemented, this could finally fix the current minefield of overlapping and out-of-date regulations.
#FixFundraising lead spokesperson and Chief Adviser of Justice Connect’s Not-for-profit Law, Sue Woodward AM said:
“We are pleased to see all governments working together at the highest level to implement a simpler, single national scheme for the regulation of charitable fundraising.”
Under existing laws, any organisation that raises money online in Australia must look at getting a fundraising licence in every state. In the era of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and compounding crises, communities are turning to charities and other not-for-profit organisations for support, only to experience capacity limited by complex regulation.
“The #FixFundraising coalition is ready to work with the government’s working group, to use our expertise to agree on and implement the best solution – one that preserves transparency and donor protections while allowing innovation and modern fundraising for all charities and other not-for-profit groups. We have draft principles of ethical fundraising ready to go.”
Background
This announcement is a welcome follow-up to the 20 December 2020 announcement made by the Federal Treasurer as phase 1 of the reforms called for as part of the #FixFundraising campaign, where reporting and registration requirements are now centralised through the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
“The #FixFundraising coalition has been calling for this since we formed in 2016. We’re pleased to see the final piece of the puzzle to develop a principles-based national framework fit for purpose into the future.”
A major survey in May 2021 revealed that up to 88% of charities and not-for-profit organisations still face unnecessary red tape when raising funds for their vital services.
Read more about the 14 Australian Fundraising Principles that the #FixFundraising coalition have developed to help inform the national framework.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emily Malone, Justice Connect
emily.malone@justiceconnect.org.au
+61 3 9021 0149
About Justice Connect:
Justice Connect is a legal services organisation and charity that designs and delivers high impact interventions to increase access to legal support and progress social justice.
Justice Connect’s Not-for-profit Law (NFP Law) is a national, specialised legal program. It provides free and low-cost legal assistance to not-for-profit community organisations across Australia, runs a certified social enterprise and advocates for better laws and regulation on behalf of the Australian community sector.
#FixFundraising Partners:
