On Friday November 2, 2012 the Not-for-profit Sector Tax Concession Working Group released their discussion paper Fairer, Simpler and more effective tax concessions for the not-for-profit sector. The paper explores possibilities for improving and simplifying the tax concession environment for NFPs and the working group is now seeking public input into the discussion.
Submissions on the discussion paper are due by 10am on Monday the 17th of December.
Today’s announcement that the South Australian government will not require nationally registered charities to further establish their bona fides has been warmly welcomed, but some are questioning why other states are not offering the same level of support to charities. The not-for-profit sector employs more than one million Australians and turns over approximately $100 billion each year.
‘There have been decades of discussions about the relationship between governments and not-for-profit organisations. The time has come for all governments to respect charities, to free them up from unnecessary red tape and compliance, and to enable them to do what they do best – support the communities they serve. Civil society is at its best when the voice of the not-for-profit sector can be heard loud and clear. The removal of gag clauses is a critical part of the reform process, and one charities and not-for-profits will strongly welcome,’ according to Rev Ti
Yesterday the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs tabled their report, following that committee's inquiry into the ACNC and 'In Australia' Bills. The report recommends that the bills be passed, however also includes a dissenting report from the Coalition, who do not support the passage of the bills into legislation; additional comments from Independent Senator Nick Xenophon; and a dissenting report from the Greens who provide 21 recommendations with concerns to be addressed before the bills are passed.
Today the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services tabled their Advisory Report on the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Bill 2012, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (Consequential and Transitional) Bill 2012 and the Tax Laws Amendment (Special Conditions for Not-for-profit Concessions) Bill 2012.
The Committee made several recommendations, including the recommendation that all three Bills be passed. Other recommendations included:
Attached is CCA's joint submission to the the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs and the Parliamentary Joint Committee (PJC) on Corporations and Financial Services on the ACNC Bills 2012 and the Tax Laws Amendment (Special Conditions for not-for-profit concessions) Bill 2012. CCA will appear at the hearings for both Committee's Inquiries.
Today the Bills to establish the ACNC were introduced to the House of Representatives by the Assistant Treasurer The Hon. David Bradbury MP. Debate has been adjourned until the 10th of September.
You can read the Bills here.
And read the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Social Inclusion's joint media release below.
Mark Butler MP
Minister for Social Inclusion
David Bradbury MP
‘After decades of discussion, the time has come for real reform for the charitable sector,’ according to Rev Tim Costello, Chair of the Community Council for Australia (CCA) and CEO of World Vision.
CCA's 2012 Annual General Meeting was held on the 27th of June at Parliament House in Canberra. 24 CCA members attended the Senate Committee Room meeting and were joined the Assistant Treasurer the Hon. David Bradbury MP over lunch. Minister Bradbury provided an update for members on the government's NFP reform agenda, providing some insight into the ACNC legislation and answering questions from members around the government's 'Better Targeting' initative.