Anne Webster (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak on the important role played by charities in Australia's economy and society, and to speak on the government's work to support the charities sector and enact reforms recommended by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, ACNC. I agree with Dr Leigh's first point, that the charity sector is one of the most trusted in Australian public life. However, I don't agree that the government has failed to act on fundraising reform. Since the government tabled in parliament the ACNC review panel's report in August 2018, the Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters, Senator Zed Seselja, has consulted extensively with the charities sector, the community and with the state and territory ministers to understand the views on the review panel's recommendations. Thanks to Senator Seselja's hard work in this space, in March this year the government delivered its response to the ACNC review with three themes in mind: reducing red tape, increasing transparency and having an effective regulator.

I have been involved in the charities sector for over 14 years myself, through the development of a not-for-profit to support young mothers into education and employment. Through my experience, I have found that the chief role of government is to provide an effective framework within which charities can freely operate. This framework should support the work done by charities, not dictate to them. Of course, regulation and accountability are also key components of the government's role. The government's response to the review shows that we are committed to a regulatory regime for charities that fosters a vibrant and innovative sector. By reducing red tape, we will ensure charities are able to focus on serving their community, not simply ticking boxes. And all the charities that I speak to in Mallee confirm this objective.

The government is ensuring the ACNC can continue its important role as a regulator for the industry. The ACNC has become a highly regarded institution and is an integral component of the framework that allows charities to flourish while providing transparency and trust in the sector. The ACNC is also working with the states and territories to remove the duplication of reporting obligations, including the harmonisation of fundraising regulation so registered charities that report to the ACNC no longer report to the states.

Finally, the government is focused on strengthening trust and confidence in the charities sector to ensure public faith in these institutions is maintained. The government's response to the review into the charities sector gets the balance right between reducing red tape for charities while ensuring Australians can trust the sector they so generously support. With these reforms, the 57,000 charities across Australia, including many in Mallee, can focus on helping those in need, and Australians can continue to give generously of their time and money with confidence.

The charities sector has not been immune to the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, which is why the government has extended unparalleled support for the sector during this time. Charities have been able to access the jobkeeper payment through a test more generous than that offered to any other sector. The 15-per-cent-turnover decline test and the option to exclude government revenue from their calculations to access jobkeeper was a response to urgent calls from the sector to which the government promptly responded. This measure supports charities like the Salvation Army and the Catholic Social Services as well as local charities across Australia that are expected to have a significant increase in demand for their services during this pandemic. Charities are also able to access the boosting cash flow for employers program, providing a minimum payment of $20,000 to eligible employers. The charities sector employs over 1.3 million Australians, and many businesses in the country will benefit from this stimulus.

The government has also announced the $200 million Community Support Package to assist programs delivered by charities during COVID-19, including emergency and food relief and financial literacy services. This package includes a $100 million funding injection to more than 300 charities and community organisations to conduct these activities and support Australians in the wake of the coronavirus economic turndown.

The government is actively supporting the charities sector through our response to the ACNC legislation review and via immediate and direct funding support in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to thank the Assistant Minister for Finance, Charities and Electoral Matters, Senator Zed Seselja, for his outstanding work, and offer—(Time expired)

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