ACNC Moves Closer as SA Acts To Reduce NFP Red Tape
11 October 2012 at 10:45 am
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Photo: touradelaide.com |
While the Not for Profit sector holds its breath on legislative approval to set up a national charity regulator, South Australia is to make amendments to its incorporated associations and charitable collections legislation to reduce red tape.
On the establishment of the charity regulator, the ACNC, the Federal Government says a motion passed in the Senate today allows the ACNC legislation to be debated before the end of the year.
A Government spokesperson says the legislation could potentially continue to be debated in the sitting week beginning October 29th.
Assistant Federal Treasurer David Bradbury said the Government had negotiated the passage of the legislation setting up the ACNC through the House of Representatives.
However, the Bills are awaiting a continuance of debate in the Senate and are expected to face a number of amendments from the Greens. The ACNC had been expected to start operating on October 1, 2012.
The ACNC will take over a range of regulatory functions from the Australian Taxation Office. The Federal Government says it will create a ‘fit for purpose’ regulator to reduce the regulatory burden and minimise the compliance costs faced by NFPs.
In the meantime, the South Australian legislation aims to harmonise reporting requirements and authorise charities to collect charitable donations in South Australia, once they have formally registered with the new national regulator, the Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission (ACNC).
This follows new Victorian legislation amending its incorporated associations act that comes into effect in November.
Minister for Social Inclusion Mark Butler said that South Australia‘s move demonstrates progress toward a national regulatory framework for the NFP sector.
“The Gillard Government looks forward to working with other States and Territories to deliver similar reform outcomes across Australia, based on the necessary foundation of a new national regulator for the Not-for-profit sector.”
In Victoria new legislation regulating incorporated community and Not for Profit groups, called the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012, comes into effect on November 26, 2012.
“Alongside our work on setting up the new national regulator, we have also been working with States and Territories to remove unnecessary regulations which for too long have been imposed on charities,” Butler said.
“By removing duplicative state regulations, reducing costs for charities, and transitioning to a national regulatory framework, we will allow charities to focus on what they do best.”
Deputy Premier and Attorney-General of South Australia John Rau said that the reforms would be of tangible benefit to NFP and volunteer organisations operating in South Australia.
“Once the reform process is complete we will look at our legislation and harmonise reporting processes for small, medium and large organisations within the framework of the new ACNC Act,” Rau said.
“These will be significant simplifications for South Australian charities that will make a real difference in their compliance and reporting obligations.”
