ACNC Commissioner Sue Woodward AM has welcomed the release of a major report on philanthropic giving as a significant development for Australia’s charity sector.
The Productivity Commission’s report was tabled in the Parliament last week, and the government is considering recommendations and findings which aim to provide a firm foundation for philanthropy.
Ms Woodward said matters relating to giving and funding are critical for the charity and not-for-profit sector. ‘There will no doubt be lively debate around some of the recommendations in the report, and we have already seen that starting to play out.
‘Ultimately, our role as the independent regulator is to implement policy which is set by government. If there are any changes that result from the inquiry in future which impact our work in regulating the sector, we will ensure we provide clear guidance and messaging so the sector is well-prepared and resourced.
‘In the meantime, we'll continue to support a culture of giving, especially through our Charity Register. It is a valuable tool for donors and philanthropists to verify the transparency of organisations they might support, with information such as where a charity operates and the people or causes it supports.