Former Democrat Supports Rudd Government Third Sector Reform Agenda

Former West Australian Democrats Senator, Andrew Murray who instigated the Senate Inquiry into Disclosure Regimes for Charities and Not for Profit organisations says the Third Sector should not be concerned by the Government’s perceived poor response to the inquiries recommendations.

The former Senator believes the Rudd Government is genuinely waiting for the outcome of two other reports – the Henry Report and the Productivity Commission inquiry to come up with a reform package for the Sector.

The Senate Economic Committee delivered its extensive report to Parliament in December 2009 after receiving some 183 submissions from Not for Profit organisations and individuals. 

The Federal Government’s response slipped into Parliament and was entered into Hansard without discussion on June 22nd, 2009.

The response has been described as poor by Independent SA Senator Nick Xenaphone, who was part of the Senate Committee Inquiry.

The Inquiry was initiated by former sitting members of the Australian Democrats following research published by the Australian Consumer Group Choice on charities and the cost of fundraising, early in 2008. 

Former Democrats Senator, Andrew Murray who retired before the last Federal election after 12 years in the Senate says he believes the Rudd Government understands that the Not for Profit sector cannot be left on its own.

He says the Third Sector has moved into a different era coming full circle to bare the burden of service delivery that the government once offered but with greater demands on reporting and transparency.

Murray says reform is coming once all three reports are combined.

However he says implementation will be slow because the Rudd Government has bitten off more than it can chew.

Archived papers from the former Senator can be found at www.andrewmurray.org.au under Senate responsibilities.