National Compact Draft Principles Released for Discussion

A National Compact between the Federal Government and the Australia Not for Profit Sector would include a statement of agreed principles as well as a prioritised action list to ensure the Compact can make a difference.

The principles and action list are included in the National Compact Consulatation Paper released for public discussion on the Government’s social inclusion website.

The principles that have emerged as priorities from consultation and discussion can be grouped under the following themes:
• Respect
• Inclusiveness
• Diversity
• Effectiveness
• Efficiency
• Sustainability

The Draft paper says eight areas have emerged as high priorities for short term action, with wide support from sector organisations.

• documentation and promotion of the value and contribution of the Sector
• protection of the right to advocacy, irrespective of any funding relationship that might
exist
• recognition of sector diversity in consultation processes and Sector development
initiatives
• improvements in information sharing, including greater access to publicly funded
research and data
• reduction in red tape and streamlining of reporting
• increase in consistency/ simplicity of financial arrangements, including across state and
federal jurisdictions
• improvements to funding and procurement processes
• responses to paid and unpaid workforce issues – development, retention, recruitment
and remuneration.

The Draft Paper says that once the compact is agreed, it will be necessary to develop systems and strategies to implement, monitor and report on the compact principles and undertakings.

It says that it is envisaged that the Government will sign up to the compact and will encourage Third Sector organisations large and small to also sign up as a demonstration of good faith in the way they want to work together. The compact would be a voluntary agreement.

Individual organisations and peak bodies could be invited to sign up to this new and agreed way of working on behalf of their members.  It says having many signatures to the compact will make it an active and participatory relationship.

The compact will need to be managed by the Government and the Sector in partnership.This would require governance mechanisms for the sector and the Government. Following the lead of other jurisdictions and considering views put forward by the Sector to date, a National Compact Council comprising Third Sector champions could be an appropriate mechanism to represent the interests of the Third Sector in matters relating to the national compact.

The Council could have responsibility for developing a five year action plan that will give life to the national compact, and for recommending processes to resolve differences.

Here are ways in which you can take part in the discussion around the National Compact.

Online forum
If you would like to be involved in a live discussion forum on the development of a national compact, you can register your interest at this address www.socialinclusion.gov.au

Discussion forums
There are a number of discussion forums open in the online forum. These forums allow you to provide comment on key issues of interest to you, in relation to the development of a national compact. 

Written submissions
All submissions can be forwarded to australiancompact@fahcsia.gov.au , or sent to
National Compact Section
PO Box 7576
Canberra Business Centre
ACT 2610
or faxed to 02 6204 7423

The Draft Principles can be downloaded at www.socialinclusion.gov.au