Govt to Open Consultation on ACNC Replacement

The Federal Government is about to open consultations with the Not for Profit sector on a replacement for the national charity regulator – despite the legislation to repeal the ACNC remaining held up in the Senate.

The Coalition says it is about to release the dates and locations of a series of consultation forums for charities and Not for Profits to discuss the proposed replacement arrangement for the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

According to the Department of Social Services, in addition to written submissions, it will consult with organisations throughout July and August.

“The Government believes it should not impose unnecessary regulatory control over the civil sector; rather, it should work with and support the sector’s ability to self-manage, allowing organisations to focus more on their work in the community,” the Department of Social Services said.

“The repeal of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is consistent with the Government’s broader deregulation agenda to boost productivity by removing excessive, unnecessary and overly complex red and green tape imposed on business, community and individuals by at least $1 billion per year.

“As part of the Government’s election commitment to reduce unnecessary regulatory control over the civil sector, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (Repeal) (No.1) Bill 2014 was introduced into the House of Representatives on 19 March 2014. The Regulatory Impact Statement that accompanied the first Bill stated that, ‘views will be explored during the second stage of the process and implementation options will give consideration to the impacts on different groups’.”

The Government said dates and locations would be advertised on the Department’s website before the end of June with written submissions accepted up until four weeks after the last open forum is held.

It said a summary of stakeholder feedback would be made available on the Department’s website.

The department said an Options Paper would explain the ACNC replacement arrangements and provide options on how key functions would be transitioned to the ATO and ASIC.

It said the paper will be available on the Department’s website and stakeholders would be invited to provide written submissions.

The Government’s lack of consultation on the abolition of the ACNC has been criticised by the sector and the Opposition.

Earlier this year Shadow Assistant Treasurer Andrew Leigh described the Abbott Government’s promise to consult charities about its plan to abolish the charities regulator as hollow.

“Minister Kevin Andrews promised charities a discussion paper on the future of the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission by the end of January and a formal consultation process beginning this month,” Leigh said.

“It’s the end of February and nothing has happened. The Minister has stopped listening and does not care to listen.”