Government Announces Compact Expert Panel

An executive from the Not for Profit sector and a senior public servant will co-chair the Federal Government’s expert panel set up to develop a National Compact with Australia’s Not for Profit sector.

The Chief Executive of the Mental Health Council of Australia, David Crosbie and the Group Manager of the Federal department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Evan Lewis will co-chair the Panel.

Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion, Senator Ursula Stephens made the announcement along with the names of ten other panel members.

Senator Stephens says the Government aims to develop a new relationship with the Not for Profit sector, one that is based on partnership and respect, and is consulting with the sector about how this can be achieved.

She says the Government is exploring whether a Compact, such as those that operate in Canada and the UK, could be developed in Australia and what might be included in such a Compact.

She says the Compact would provide a framework to articulate our shared values and goals to reduce disadvantage, create opportunities for social and economic participation, build social cohesion and improve service delivery.

She says the Panel will work in partnership with the Government to ensure the integrity of the consultation process and provide advice on how a diverse range of views are considered as the Government develops the Compact.

She adds that it will also be an important vehicle for advancing the Commonwealth’s Social Inclusion agenda through a strengthened sector that will play a critical role in providing opportunities for social inclusion and participation.

More information about how you can express your views about the Compact can be found at:
www.socialinclusion.gov.au/An_Australian_Compact.htm

The other members of the Expert Panel are:

Dr Ken Baker Chief Executive, National Disability Service
Ms Rhonda Galbally AO Chief Executive, Our Community
Dr Stephen Judd Chief Executive, Hammond Care Group
Ms Voula Messimeri Chair, Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia
Ms Diane Morgan Chief Executive, Volunteering Queensland
Mr Julian Pocock Executive Officer, Secretariat of National Aboriginal &Islander Child Care (SNAICC)
Mr Frank Quinlan Executive Director, Catholic Social Services Australia
Dr Wendy Scaife Centre of Philanthropy and Nonprofit
Studies, Queensland University of
Technology
Mr David Thompson AM Chief Executive, Jobs Australia & Chair of
the National Roundtable of Nonprofit Organisations
Ms Lesley Young National President, Country Women’s
Association of Australia