Pascoe Confirms Acceptance as ACNC Commissioner

Susan Pascoe. Photo: ACNC Taskforce

Susan Pascoe says she is honoured to accept the nomination to become the first Commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission, according to the ACNC Taskforce website.

She was nominated for the position by the Minister for Social Inclusion Mark Butler and the Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury.

However, her appointment is subject to approval by the Governor?General, according to Minister Bradbury. The Minister added that it is the Government's intention to recommend to the Governor-General that Pascoe is appointed for period of five years, commencing on 1 October 2012.  

Pascoe said she won’t be able to officially take up the position until the ACNC-enabling legislation is passed through parliament. ACNC Communications Director Jan Sharrock said the legislation is on track to be passed by October 1.  

“In accepting this nomination I am aware there will be challenges in developing a balanced regulatory approach that will meet the needs of the sector and Government together with managing the expectations of the Australian community,” Pascoe said.

Pascoe will remain the Interim Commissioner until the legislation is passed by the government.

Pascoe has spent most of her career in the Not for Profit sector mainly through her work in education organisations.

Next week the ACNC Taskforce will release an ‘Implementation Report’ to clarify issues that have been raised by the Not for Profit sector and will set out a plan for the establishment of the ACNC including details on how it will:

• determine charitable and public benevolent institution status for all Commonwealth purposes
• provide education and support to the sector
• begin the implementation of a ‘report-once, use-often’ general reporting framework for charities, and
• establish a public information portal with a searchable database on charities.