Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

We know this is a particularly complex area, and I'm very pleased to be able to say that we've taken a two-pronged approach to ensure that we are able to get access to survivors and make sure that no survivor is left behind. Firstly, we'll be amending the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission regulatory framework to require all charities to participate in the scheme if a claim has been made against them or is likely to be made against them. Should that charity fail to take reasonable steps, that will mean that they have not met their requirements and they will be subject to the full suite of existing compliance powers, which includes deregistration as a charity. This would mean that they would no longer be able to get access to favourable taxation concessions on income tax, fringe benefits tax and direct recipient status. This, I hope, will make those charities think twice. Further, we will also be making sure that basic religious charities are put into the same bucket as other charities. (Time expired)