Australian charities over 20 years: A timeline

28 May 2020 at 8:00 am
Luke Michael

The landscape for charities in Australia has shifted dramatically over the past 20 years. We take a look back through the Pro Bono News archives to re-examine some of the key events that have gripped the sector.

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Luke Michael | 28 May 2020 at 8:00 am

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Cool Timeline

The Howard government establishes an inquiry to review the 400-year-old definition of what constitutes a charity.

Sep,2000

The charity inquiry committee recommends a new legislative definition of charity.

Sep,2001

This would operate within a framework of three distinct categories.

The Howard government accepts the recommendation to enact a legislative definition of “charity”.

Sep,2002

The National Roundtable of Nonprofit Organisations is formed.

Jun,2004

Chair Robert Fitzgerald says significant reform and streamlining of NFP laws and regulations is urgently needed, after the government decides to stick with the common law meaning of a charity.

The inquiry into the disclosure regimes for charities and not-for-profits is completed.

Dec,2008

It calls for an independent national regulator for charities and a minister for the sector.

The Productivity Commission releases a wide-ranging report into the NFP sector.

Feb,2010

The High Court hands down a decision in the Aid/Watch case.

Dec,2010

In a landmark decision labelled a win for charities, the High Court rules the activist group is a charitable organisation exempt from tax, overturning a lower court ruling in favour of the Australian Taxation Office.

The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission officially opens its doors.

Nov,2012

The creation of the commission comes in response to long-standing calls from charities for a dedicated and specialist regulator for the sector.

The Abbott government announces plans to axe the ACNC.

Dec,2013

The Charities Act 2013 comes into effect.

Jan,2014

Pro Bono Australia releases its first State of the Sector Survey.

Sep,2014

The inaugural Impact 25 winners are announced.

Dec,2014

The winners are revealed in Pro Bono Australia’s inaugural Impact 25 Awards, designed to recognise the most influential people in the social sector. Tim Costello, Rosie Batty and Cassandra Goldie are among the winners.

The Abbott government indicates it will not abolish the ACNC following strong sector support.

Sep,2015

Pro Bono Australia’s Civil Voices report is released.

Dec,2017

It finds that NGOs are self-silencing for fear of risking their financial security or attracting political retribution.

Dr Gary Johns is controversially appointed ACNC commissioner, replacing Susan Pascoe.

Dec,2017

Charities speak out against the government’s Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform Bill.

Jan,2018

They warn that it will put charitable advocacy under threat.

The five-year review of ACNC legislation is released.

Aug,2018

The amended Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform Bill passes the Senate, with sector backing.

Nov,2018

The government responds to the ACNC Review.

Mar,2020

It pledges to strengthen public trust in the sector by removing laws stopping the charities commission from explaining why it is investigating charities.

A Charities Crisis Cabinet is formed to protect the sector from the impacts of COVID-19.

Apr,2020

For a deeper look at these key changes, you can check out our article examining how far the charity sector has come since 2000 here.