Federal government moves to abolish charities regulator despite sector support

Federal Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews wants to abolish Australia’s charities regulator the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) after only being in operation for 18 months. Mr Andrews claims it is part of the government’s red-tape reduction drive, but many in the sector say the ACNC has actually helped them reduce their regulatory burden. A successor agency will be set up after the ACNC is abolished, but so far detail is lacking about what it will look like – except to say that Kevin Andrews would prefer the organisation be a voluntary regulator.

 

Producers:

• Steven Riggall

Speakers:

• Assistant Commissioner at the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Murray Baird
• Professor in Taxation Law at the University of Melbourne Ann O'Connell