Help protect our democracy

The Morrison Government is set to introduce alarming changes to laws that could silence every one of the 59,000 charities in Australia and put a strain on the already limited resources charities have to support our communities and the environment.

The proposed amendment gives the Charities Commissioner powers to deregister charities for the most minor of offences, or if he merely believes that an offence may occur in the future.

The laws are designed to undermine charities’ right to speak out and hold the government accountable, which is essential in a healthy democracy. For ActionAid, it would severely restrict ...

The Morrison Government is set to introduce alarming changes to laws that could silence every one of the 59,000 charities in Australia and put a strain on the already limited resources charities have to support our communities and the environment.

The proposed amendment gives the Charities Commissioner powers to deregister charities for the most minor of offences, or if he merely believes that an offence may occur in the future.

The laws are designed to undermine charities’ right to speak out and hold the government accountable, which is essential in a healthy democracy. For ActionAid, it would severely restrict our ability to act in support of the women we work with overseas.

Together, we have to oppose the proposed amendments.

Join us - take 2 mins to write to Treasurer Josh Frydenberg today and tell him to oppose these laws.

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Write to your local MP today and tell them to oppose these laws that silence charities today.

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Subject:

I am writing to you to express my concern about the proposed amendments to Governance Standard 3 of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulations 2013, proposed by federal Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar.

The proposed new rules unfairly target charities and would impose regulations on charities that go beyond what is required of businesses and political parties.If enacted, these new regulations would mean that charities could be deregistered for even the most minor offences - including blocking a footpath at a public vigil. The Charities Commissioner would also be given the power to shut down a charity if he believes that a minor breach is likely to happen in the future.

This would severely restrict charities’ ability to do their important work, including charities that I support.

The proposed amendments have attracted widespread criticism from respected legal bodies like the Law Council of Australia. The Charities Commissioner, Gary Johns, himself said under questioning in Senate Estimates that he has seen no evidence to support the changes to the regulations.

Charities all over Australia play an important role in supporting communities and keeping people safe and have done so particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I ask that you raise your opposition to proposed regulations with Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar before the next sitting day on 3 August 2021, when the amendments are expected to be tabled.

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