As long as the richest and most powerful have the greatest influence over national policy, the interests of our communities will be poorly reflected in many areas of national policy making. This week’s Grattan report on access and influence in Australian politics’ highlights many issues. Most importantly, its recommendations are a great starting point for the reforms to national policy making that Australia desperately needs , writes CCA CEO David Crosbie in Pro Bono News, 27 September 2018.
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This supplementary submission outlines key areas of concern for the Community Council for Australia (CCA) in relation to the proposed amended Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Funding and Disclosure Reform) Bill 2017. CCA is pleased that the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) have put forward such comprehensive recommendations and the proposed amendments go a long way to reducing the potential negative impact of the original Bill. Given CCA has previously provided a submission on the original legislation, this supplementary submission will make only four key points that CCA sees as important, needing further clarification or amendment.
This submission outlines key areas of opportunity and concern for the Community Council for Australia (CCA) in relation to the proposed Australian Charities External Conduct Standards. CCA welcomes the opportunity to engage with The Treasury on this very important issue.
CCA has long supported ending the multiple application processes involved in DGR and charitable status. Reforming DGR to ensure that most DGR organisations are listed with the ACNC and ending the role of separate registers run at a Departmental level makes good sense, reduces red tape and compliance, increases transparency, and is a sound practical policy initiative. Similarly, the move to streamline the public fund requirements has long been supported across the charities sector. CCA welcomes these proposed reforms. CCA has serious reservations about a number of other proposed reforms and is flagging those concerns in this submission, knowing they may fall outside of the current consultation paper.
Safety is part of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s three-point plan to win the next election, but what is he doing to create a safer Australia? Is this about politics? Or is it about authentic action that leaves easy headlines behind? If we care to look, it's not hard to see where to start. CCA CEO David Crosbie does just that in Pro Bono News, 13 September 2018.
If we are to reduce the level of entrenched disadvantage in Australia, we need to change priorities within government, and confront the fundamental inequality that places the voices of communities, charities and broader civil society at the bottom of the political influence pile, writes CCA CEO David Crosbie, in Pro Bono News, 30 August 2018.
For the Department of the Environment and Energy to grant over $440 million to a small charity that didn’t even prepare an application form or ask for the grant is inconceivable, writes CCA CEO David Crosbie in Pro Bono News, 16 August 2018.
CCA's submission outlines key areas of opportunity and concern in relation to the Senate Select Committee Inquiry into Charitable Fundraising.
CCA welcomes the opportunity to engage with the Senate Select Committee on this very important issue.
CCA is a member of the fixfundraising coalition, has liaised extensively with Justice Connect and supports their submission. Parts of this submission reflect this convergence.
Public service reform in Australia seems like a constantly moving weather front, lots of clouds, the occasional flash of lightning or thunder, but bringing no rain and little change in temperature, writes CEO David Crosbie in Pro Bono News, Refrorming or Redecorating?
This submission outlines key areas of opportunity and concern for the Community Council for Australia (CCA) in relation to the Independent Review of the Australian Public Service (the Review).
CCA welcomes the opportunity to engage with the Review and its work to improve the capability and performance of the Australian Public Service, and is keen to engage in further discussion as the Review’s recommendations are developed and considered.