Charity leaders say they are disappointed, but not surprised, that charitable fundraising was not discussed during the annual Consumer Affairs Forum meeting in New Zealand in August.
Advocates had been calling on state and territory consumer ministers to make fundraising reform a high priority during the meeting, to begin the process of stripping back “outdated” fundraising laws that vary from region to region and were written pre-internet.
Community Council for Australia CEO David Crosbie told Pro Bono News it was clear the concerns of the charity sector around red tape were of little importance to many of the consumer affairs ministers.
He said this continued the trend of ministers “burying their heads in the sand” on the issue.
“Apparently it is okay to impose a dog’s breakfast of dated dysfunctional regulations on charities, ignore the national congestion busting agenda, and ensure millions of dollars and countless hours of time continue to be wasted by charities jumping through inconsequential administrative hoops that have long outlived their usefulness,” Crosbie said.
“The actions of these ministers will perpetuate their irrelevance and ensure most charities do not comply with the current ineffectual and unenforceable fundraising regulations.”
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