FIA Negotiates With ACNC on Regulatory Environment
19 February 2015 at 11:10 am
Australia’s peak fundraising body, Fundraising Institute Australia, is consulting with the charity regulator on how to reduce red tape, an annual conference in Brisbane has been told.
The FIA conference has been told that the peak body has been communicating with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) looking at a fundraising issues faced by the sector and ways to reduce the red tape burden.
FIA CEO Rob Edwards told the conference fundraisers know only too well the plethora of legislation that sits across each of the states that they have to comply with.
“What we are looking at is probably not going to alleviate much of that, but we do believe there is another way to approach the issue of fundraising regulation and that is through the issue of codes,” Edwards said.
“For the most part when the media gets hold of a story it’s to do with the conduct of fundraising rather than the criminal activity itself.
“The FIA‘s codes of ethics and standards of practice already codify the behaviour for fundraisers to adhere to."
In a statement to Pro Bono Australia News, ACNC’s Commissioner Susan Pascoe AM said the ACNC is committed to reducing red tape for all charities.
“Charities spend a lot of time reporting to Commonwealth agencies, so we are working to reduce duplication in this area.
“Engaging with stakeholders is crucial in this work, and we are open to suggestions that may help us reduce the red tape burden experienced by the sector,” Pascoe said.
More than 700 fundraisers, sector leaders and international guests have gathered in Brisbane for the 38th International Fundraising Conference.
The conference is the fundraising sector’s premier professional development and networking event and the FIA says it promises to give fundraisers the chance to explore what’s out there, and to get a fresh perspective on their work and our sector.
