The charity sector has welcomed the release of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission legislation review, which says the sector needs a single national scheme and fundraising reform to combat an “unacceptable level of unnecessary red tape”.
The final report, tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, made 30 recommendations aimed at finding “a balance between supporting the sector, reducing red tape, enhancing accountability and addressing misconduct”.
A common theme of the report was the need for a national scheme for the sector, which requires a referral of powers from the states to the Commonwealth.
“Australia currently has eight separate jurisdictions whose regulatory regimes impact upon charities and not for profits, with the Commonwealth government’s regulatory requirements, through the ACNC Acts and the tax system, overlaying each of these,” the report said.
“This results in inconsistency, complexity and inefficiency for charities. The panel is strongly of the view that a national scheme is the best option for the sector going forward, especially in areas such as governance, fundraising and registration.
“In the absence of a national scheme, the sector will continue to be subject to an unacceptable level of unnecessary red tape.”
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