Close Search
 
MEDIA, JOBS & RESOURCES for the COMMON GOOD
News  | 

ACNC to Drive Red Tape Reduction for NFPs


17 October 2012 at 3:27 pm
Staff Reporter
The Federal Government will amend Commonwealth Grant Guidelines to support the implementation of a 'report-once, use-often' reporting framework for the Not for Profit sector under the new charity regulator.


Staff Reporter | 17 October 2012 at 3:27 pm


2 Comments


 Print
ACNC to Drive Red Tape Reduction for NFPs
17 October 2012 at 3:27 pm

The Federal Government will amend Commonwealth Grant Guidelines to support the implementation of a 'report-once, use-often' reporting framework for the Not for Profit sector under the new Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, the ACNC.

The Government says the move is aimed at the further reduction of ‘red-tape’ for the Not for Profit sector.

The Assistant Treasurer, David Bradbury has told a Sydney conference on Not for Profit Law and Regulation that the guidelines establish the grants policy and reporting framework for all Commonwealth departments and agencies subject to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.

“The changes will benefit the many organisations that will be registered with the ACNC and are recipients of grants from Commonwealth agencies and departments,” Bradbury said.

“These changes will state that agency staff should not seek information from grant applicants and grant recipients that is collected by other Commonwealth entities and is available to agency staff.

“In particular, they will provide that agency staff must not request information already provided to the ACNC by an organisation regulated by it.”

The Assistant Treasurer said the changes will also state that when determining whether acquittal or reporting requirements are required for a grant, agency staff must have regard to information collected by regulators, such as the ACNC.

“The changes will also state that if an entity provides an annual audited financial statement to the ACNC, then a grant acquittal should not be required, unless the granting activity is high risk,” he said.

“In addition to these practical steps, the ACNC will also be accountable to the Parliament and the NFP sector on its effectiveness in delivering reductions in the regulatory burden.”

Bradbury told the conference that once established, the ACNC will develop and make public a 'red-tape reduction timeline and plan'.

“The changes will also state that when determining whether acquittal or reporting requirements are required for a grant, agency staff must have regard to information collected by regulators, such as the ACNC,” Bradbury said.

“In addition, the changes will state that if an entity provides an annual audited financial statement to the ACNC, then a grant acquittal should not be required, unless the nature of the activity for which the grant has been provided is regarded as high risk.”

The ACNC legislation passed the House of Representatives on September 18 2012, and is now before the Senate. The legislation is expected to be debated in the Senate in sitting days starting on October 29.

The Assistant Treasurer told the conference the objective is to have the ACNC up and running by early December this year.

“I have dealt with many pieces of legislation in my time as both a Parliamentary Secretary and now as Assistant Treasurer – and I must say this is the most scrutinised piece of legislation I've had responsibility for,” he said.

“In draft form it was the subject of an inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics and once introduced into Parliament it was subject to a further two concurrent enquiries by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, and the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs.”
 




Get more stories like this

FREE SOCIAL
SECTOR NEWS

2 comments

  • While I applaud the principle that organisations should only need to report once, the problem is that the ACNC doesn’t currently plan to collect enough information to form the basis of a grant acquittal. I understand completely the desire for simpler reporting processes but this will come into conflict with departments’ responsibilities to be accountable for the funds they are distributing – or we’ll be sitting waiting for the first big scandal which will tarnish the whole NFP sector.

    What’s needed is an automated SBR-enabled reporting facility at all levels of government and I think we are still some way off from that

    Mick Devine, Calxa Australia

  • Great blog post. Very interesting how the new changes will pan-out. Thanks for sharing.


YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Stuck in a Job Interview? Here’s What to Say

Debbie Ewington

Friday, 22nd March 2024 at 9:00 am

Finding creative solutions to combat homelessness

Ed Krutsch

Friday, 22nd March 2024 at 9:00 am

The Future of the CEO in the Next 5 Years

Lesley Lightfoot

Friday, 15th March 2024 at 9:00 am

Building a nest of fundraisers and for purpose leaders

Ed Krutsch

Friday, 15th March 2024 at 9:00 am

pba inverse logo
Subscribe Twitter Facebook
×