PM’s Group Consulting With ACNC

A group Chaired by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, and with Social Services Minister Scott Morrison as its Deputy Chair, has met with the national charity regulator for the first time.

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) hosted members from the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership last week.

The meeting between the two groups could indicate a change of opinion by the Abbott Government, which has consistently promised to abolish the ACNC and has claimed that it increases red tape burdens for charities and Not for Profits.

In recent months Scott Morrison has claimed that abolishing the ACNC is still the Government's policy, but that it was low on its list of priorities.

Federal Opposition parties including the powerful Senate crossbenchers have already moved a motion aimed at saving the national charity regulator, calling on the Government to withdraw the controversial ACNC Repeal Bill.

The Howard Government’s Community Business Partnership was revived by Abbott in an attempt to boost philanthropy in Australia after it was abolished by the former Rudd Government.

Members of the Partnership that attended the meeting included Alexandra Gartmann, Kevin Bailey, Melanie Cooper and Tim Fischer.

ACNC Commissioner, Susan Pascoe, said the groups discussed boosting philanthropy and cutting red tape.

“It was a pleasure to host the Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership and discuss a number of important issues,” Pascoe said.

“The Partnership was interested in how the ACNC’s work could help foster philanthropic giving and investment.

“Our work to identify and reduce red tape in the charity sector was particularly relevant.

“We also discussed issues such as increasing volunteering, social enterprises, and the data the ACNC is collecting and how we analyse and share this information with the sector.

“I look forward to meeting with the Partnership again to continue our collective efforts to support a thriving charitable sector in Australia.”

In May this year Morrison spruiked the Partnership as a way for the Government to counter Australia’s waning levels of philanthropy.

“The Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership brings together Government, community and business leaders to strengthen communities through philanthropy, volunteering and investment,” Morrison said.

“The Partnership will examine trends and promote best practice in the sector and investigate how innovative investment and financing can better support a culture of giving and volunteering in Australia.

“Importantly, the Partnership will identify incentives and barriers to philanthropic giving. We don’t want companies, trusts and foundations to be burdened by unnecessary obstacles or red tape as they try to achieve their objectives.”