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- » Review of PPFs Regulations (2008)
- » Treasury Green Paper - Trustee Corporations(2008)
- » Disclosure regimes for charities and nonprofit organisations (2008)
- » Australian Accounting Standards Board (2007)
- » Financial Reporting by Unlisted Companies (2007)
- » Strong Community Organisations Project (2007)
- » Review of Not-for-Profit Regulation (2007)
- » CSR Inquiry (2007)
- » Inquiry on Corporate Responsibility (2005)
- » Community Foundations in Australia (2005)
- » Reforming Not-for-profit Regulation
- » Charities Definition Inquiry and Draft Charities Bill
Review of PPFs Regulations - Submission to Treasury
August 2008
Philanthropy Australia's recommendation to Treasury is based on the need for transparency, efficiency and choice, to ensure that the maximum benefits of philanthropy flow to the community in perpetuity. We believe that it is in the interests of charities and the community, the Federal Government and the philanthropic sector that a clear regulatory framework for PPFs is simple to administer, monitor and comply with.
Comment on Australian Treasury Green Paper on Financial Services and Credit Reform - Trustee Corporations
August 2008
Philanthropy Australia welcomed the opportunity to submit ideas on the Australian Treasury Green Paper on Financial Services and Credit Reform with particular reference to Section 2 Trustee Corporations. Philanthropy Australia believes that the introduction of a national framework will encourage a more competitive environment with reduced regulatroy burden while enhancing oversight.
Download PDF of Submission & paper on Issues for Consideration
Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Economics Inquiry on disclosure regimes for charities and nonprofit organisations
August 2008
Philanthropy Australia welcomed the opportunity to comment on the Senate Standing Committee on Economics Inquiry on disclosure regimes for charities and not-for-profit organisations.
Philanthropy Australia recommends:
- That the term nonprofit/not-for-profit organisation be replaced with the "Community Benefit Entity".
- That the Australian Government implement the Standard Chart of Accounts and data dictionary for Community Benefit Entity reporting developed by Prof. Myles McGregor-Lowndes, Queensland University of Technology.
- That the Australian Government work with the States to develop and promulgate a Community Benefit Entity financial reporting regime that allows for differential financial reporting based on assets, revenue and the level of public accountability expected of the Community Benefit Entity.
- Ideally, a Community Benefit Entity financial reporting regime would differentiate between Community Benefit Entities established for charitable purposes and those established for community purposes such as sporting clubs, private clubs and membership services organisations.
Philanthropy Australia supports the introduction of harmonised, consistent financial reporting requirements for Community Benefit Entities, no matter what the basis of their incorporation.
Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB):
Request for Comment on a Proposed Revised Differential Reporting Regime for Australia and IASB - Exposure Draft of a Proposed IFRS for Small and Medium-sized Entities
September 2007
Philanthropy Australia was invited to comment on this ED. As the majority of our Members are not required to prepare general purpose financial reports, they are not directly affected by this proposal. However, our Members do depend on transparent and consistent reporting by organisations they fund as part of their grant assessment processes. Therefore Philanthropy Australia has made a submission which Stewart Leslie was commissioned to prepare for review by Philanthropy Australia’s Technical Committee.
Gina Anderson attended the consultation in Sydney. For details of the consultation and a copy of the Exposure Draft, please go to the AASB website.
Financial Reporting by Unlisted Companies
August 2007
Philanthropy Australia commissioned Mr Stewart Leslie from Causeway Consulting Pty Ltd - a former partner of KPMG and author of the Institute of Chartered Accountants report “Not-for-profit sector reporting: a research project” - to draft a brief submission. This was reviewed by the Philanthropy Australia Technical Committee and was submitted on 3 August 2007.
Submission to the Stronger Community Organisations Project
July 2007
The Department for Victorian Communities instigated the Stronger Community Organisations Project to provide advice on how Government, the community sector and business can work better together to meet the challenges being faced by community organisations. Philanthropy Australia provided a submission to the Project.
State Services Authority Review of Not-for-Profit Regulation
June 2007
In early 2007 the Victorian Premier and Treasurer instigated a review of not-for-profit regulation with the aim of reducing regulatory burden. The Review aimed to identify what practical improvements to Victorian regulatory arrangements for NFPs could be made without unduly reducing accountability and transparency. Philanthropy Australia lodged a submission.
Victorian Government Family and Community Development Committee Inquiry on the involvement of small and medium businesses in corporate social responsibility
June 2007
Philanthropy Australia made a submission to this Inquiry.
Joint Parliamentary Inquiry on Corporate Responsibility
September 2005
Philanthropy Australia, in consultation with its corporate members, made a submission to this Inquiry.
Community Foundations in Australia
2005
Making community philanthropy work: overcoming legal and regulatory barriers facing community foundations in Australia, a submisison to the Commonwealth Government.
Reforming Not-for-profit Regulation
The project was funded by the Australian Research Council and supported by Philanthropy Australia (under the Strategic Partnerships with Industry program). Carried out by University of Melbourne's Centre for Corporate Law and Securities Regulation researcher Susan Woodward, it is a three-year study of the appropriateness of the corporate legal framework for not-for-profit organisations, particularly in terms of accountability and good corporate governance.
Charities Definition Inquiry and Draft Charities Bill
The project was funded by the Australian Research Council and supported by Philanthropy Australia (under the Strategic Partnerships with Industry program). Carried out by University of Melbourne's Centre for Corporate Law and Securities Regulation researcher Susan Woodward, it is a three-year study of the appropriateness of the corporate legal framework for not-for-profit organisations, particularly in terms of accountability and good corporate governance.
The report of the Commonwealth Government's Inquiry into the Definition of Charitable and Related Organisations is now available through the Australian Government Publishing Service or downloadable from the Inquiry website at http://www.cdi.gov.au/. The inquiry was set up in 2000 to examine the legal framework of charitable organisations, including the definition of 'public benevolent institution' and other issues of importance to foundation trustees, staff and potential philanthropists.
On 17 May 2004 the Government announced that the common law meaning of a charity will continue to apply, but the definition will be extended to include certain child care and self-help groups, and closed or contemplative religious orders. The Government has decided not to proceed with the draft Charities Bill.
Download PDF (submission to Board of Taxation)
Download PDF (letter of support from VWT)