The Society is a supporter of the Stronger Charities Alliance and its campaign to legislate to protect charities’ right to advocate in line with their charitable purpose.

Why is this important?

Under previous governments, attempts have been made to stymie this right, through gag clauses in Commonwealth grant agreements and proposed changes to Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) rules. Legislation would protect this right, which is important to the Society as advocacy has been a core value since our foundation in 1833.

In the week of 17-21 August, representatives of the Society met with Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh, Labor MPs Sarah Witty, Tony Zappia and Joanne Ryan, and Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, to advocate for a Bill to be introduced to Parliament without delay.

To read our National President Mark Gaetani’s op-ed published by Pearls and Irritations in July, visit vinnies.link/pi-reform.