Slow progress on governments’ commitment to #FixFundraising for 60,000 charities
16 Feb 2024
MEDIA RELEASE
12 months since the Federal Government’s announcement that National Fundraising Principles will be adopted in every State and Territory, progress has slowed.
The crucial deadline for when State and Territory governments committed to releasing their implementation plans passed in July 2023. In response, the coalition for fundraising reform has released a report card tracking developments in each jurisdiction, which paints a concerning picture of delay and fragmentation.
Tasmania, Queensland, and South Australia have shown commendable initiative in taking steps to implement these important reforms.
Tasmania led the way with the introduction of the Charities and Associations Law (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2023, Queensland followed with a detailed implementation plan including intent to repeal existing provisions, and South Australia fully embraced the Principles through amendments to its Charities Code of Practice.
However, other State and Territory governments are yet to release their implementation plans.
Justice Connect’s Head of Not-for-profit Law, Geraldine Menere, expressed disappointment in the delay of several jurisdictions to progress this key reform for the charity sector.
“The lack of action is concerning and casts a shadow over the prospects of successful harmonisation and genuine red tape reduction for charities anytime in the near future.”
This inaction negates the hard-fought gains achieved through tireless advocacy from the #FixFundraising coalition, and leaves the charity sector stuck navigating the very complexities the Principles sought to address.
The existing web of out of date, complex, and inconsistent laws continues to impose unnecessary burdens on charities, diverting precious resources away from their core missions of serving communities in need, at a time when the charity sector is facing overextended resources and continued funding cuts.
The National Fundraising Principles offer a simple solution: a single set of modern, fit-for-purpose rules for all registered charities to comply with wherever they fundraise in Australia.
However, they will only be effective if they are implemented in a harmonised way with the co-operation of all States and Territories.
Menere said, “there is the potential for these reforms to save charities hundreds of hours of unnecessary administration, but to realise this benefit, the reforms must be implemented quickly and consistently to ensure the key aims – simplification and harmonisation – are achieved.”
Justice Connect calls for a renewed commitment from the remaining State and Territory governments to fulfill their agreement to implement the National Fundraising Principles, providing a more efficient and effective fundraising environment across Australia.
The #FixFundraising coalition for fundraising reform was formed in 2016 and is comprised of sector and peak professional bodies: Justice Connect, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Australian Council of Social Service, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, Community Council for Australia, CPA Australia, Governance Institute of Australia, Philanthropy Australia, and Public Fundraising Regulatory Association.
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MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Emily Malone, Justice Connect
emily.malone@justiceconnect.org.au
+61 3 9021 0149
About Justice Connect:
Justice Connect is a legal service organisation and charity that designs and delivers high impact interventions to increase access to legal support and progress social justice.
About Justice Connect’s Not-for-profit Law:
Justice Connect’s Not-for-profit Law program 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 community sector.