Today, the Rockliff Liberal Government is taking further steps towards modernising Tasmania’s charities laws, with the tabling of the Charities and Associations Law (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2023 in the House of Assembly.
Attorney-General and Minister for Workplace Safety and Consumer Affairs, Elise Archer, said the Bill would significantly reduce the red tape burden on charities, while also strengthening compliance and enforcement capabilities.
“Tasmanians are very generous and when they donate to causes important to them, they should be able to feel confident that their donations are being used for its intended purpose and their generosity is not misplaced,” Attorney-General Elise Archer said.
“Reducing red tape for charities will ultimately reduce the cost for charities to operate, meaning a greater percentage of donations will be used for their intended cause.
“This Bill will reduce the regulatory burden on charities, particularly those operating and reporting across jurisdictions, and will also strengthen enforcement powers to enhance public confidence in the charitable fundraising sector.
“The nature of charities and fundraising in Australia has undergone significant transformation in recent times. Charities have expanded in size and complexity with many operating across multiple jurisdictions, making it crucial that that Tasmanian laws are modernised to reflect this change.
“I would like to thank those who took the time to participate in the consultation process which has informed the Bill I tabled today, with both stakeholders and the community providing important feedback as a part of the drafting process.
“I look forward to Parliament’s consideration of the Bill in due course,” Attorney-General Archer concluded.
This Bill will amend the Collections for Charities Act 2001 and the Associations Incorporation Act 1964 in order to align Tasmania with national registration and harmonisation reforms for the charitable sector.
The key changes introduced in the Bill include:
- implementing a cross-border recognition model for charitable fundraisers, providing that registration with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) authorises a charity to fundraise in each jurisdiction;
- provide for the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Fundraising Principles to be adopted via a Code of Practice to be made as Regulations;
- harmonising the reporting thresholds for all charities; and
- strengthening the compliance and enforcement provisions under the Collections for Charities Act 2001.
The Rockliff Liberal Government will continue cutting red tape as an integral part of our long-term plan that does what matters for Tasmanians and their families.
