The Albanese Government is helping Australia's 62,000 charities by ensuring that states and territories collaborate effectively with the federal government - reducing unnecessary paperwork.
We're taking the practical step of including representatives from all states and territories on the advisory board of the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission (ACNC). This will include the greatest representation from state and territory governments since the Board's inception in 2013.
This move builds on the substantial body of work that Labor has done to support charities, and aligns with recommendations in the Productivity Commission's landmark Future Foundations for Giving report.
These strategic appointments aim to ensure the diverse interests of our communities are effectively represented, fostering a consistent national approach to regulatory and policy matters within the charity sector.
The ACNC Advisory Board supports the Commissioner by offering informed advice on matters affecting charities and strengthening the governance and effectiveness of the sector.
The new ex‑officio appointments will provide an additional layer of regulatory expertise, complementing the sector‑based members and enhancing the Board's role as a forum supporting charity law, policy and regulatory reform.
The new appointments to the ACNC Advisory Board are:
- New South Wales - Ms Natasha Mann, Commissioner of Fair Trading and Deputy Secretary of Fair Trading and Regulatory Services, Department of Customer Service
- Northern Territory - Ms Amanda Nobbs‑Carcuro, Executive Director, Industry Capability, Licensing and Migration, Department of Trade, Business and Asian Relations
- Queensland - Ms Victoria Thompson, Deputy Director‑General, Harm Prevention and Regulation, Department of Justice
- South Australia - Mr Brett Humphrey, Commissioner for Consumer and Business Services
- Tasmania - Ms Robyn Pearce, Executive Director of Consumer, Building and Occupational Services, Department of Justice
- Victoria - Ms Nicole Rich, Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria, Executive Director of Regulatory Services, Department of Government Services
- Western Australia - Ms Patricia Blake, Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Department of Energy, Mines, Industry, Regulation and Safety
The ACT is already represented on the board, with David Crosbie, CEO of the Community Council for Australia, reappointed in July 2023.
This ensures that all states and territories will be represented in the national conversation about helping charities and reconnecting communities.
These appointments reinforce the Government's commitment to fostering a robust, well‑regulated charity sector that serves communities across Australia. It builds on our achievements to date. Since coming into government, the Australian Government has:
- Improved the deductible gift recipient system by creating a new pathway for community foundations to access tax deductible status.
- Streamlined the deductible gift recipient application process for environmental organisations, harm prevention charities, cultural organisations, and overseas aid organisations.
- Introduced legislation to give the ACNC greater discretion to comment publicly on harmful breaches of compliance, to better support public trust and confidence in the regulatory framework.
- Appointed a widely respected charity sector expert, Sue Woodward, to head the ACNC.
- Refreshed the ACNC Advisory Board to be more representative of the charity sector, bringing First Nations, CALD and youth voices onto the Board.
- Sent a clear signal that charitable advocacy is supported and welcomed by this government.
- Worked with state and territory governments to streamline and harmonise fundraising rules across jurisdictions.
- Funded a new General Social Survey with new questions on participation in volunteering and involvement in cultural events and cultural activities, and providing insights reflecting the impact of giving, participation, and purpose driven activity.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Charities, Dr Andrew Leigh MP
"Labor wants to minimise the time that Australia's great charities spend doing paperwork, so we can maximise the energy they devote to helping the vulnerable, cleaning up the environment, helping people stay active, and connecting neighbours.
"One of the best ways of achieving this is to ensure that all jurisdictions are working together on charitable regulation.
"Bringing sector experts and regulators from all states and territories onto the advisory board of the charities commission will help charities by reducing regulatory overlap, and ensuring jurisdictions are working together to help charities and non‑profits thrive."
