NEW REPORT SHOWS CHARITIES AT RISK OF BEING SHUT OUT OF ELECTION DEBATES
New research by the Stronger Charities Alliance shows that despite being responsible for less than 1% of electoral expenditure since 2006, charities are at risk of having their voices further marginalised under proposed electoral reforms.
The research analyses spending patterns in Commonwealth, state and territory elections and compares how charities across different jurisdictions. This is the first ever comprehensive assessment of how charities are regulated in Australian elections.
The report comes as pressure builds on the Albanese Government to release its long awaited proposal to amend the way spending and donations are managed in the Commonwealth Electoral Act.
An important aspect of these reforms will be how they treat ‘third parties’. Third parties are groups that campaign during elections but don’t field candidates, and include trade unions, business peak bodies, charities and other not-for-profit organisations.
Charities differ from other third parties because of how they are legally prohibited from supporting or opposing candidates and instead must engage in issues-based advocacy, which is closely monitored by the charities regulator, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
Charities have advocated for improved transparency in elections but are concerned that if the new rules don’t account for the unique way the sector operates then they could lead to even fewer community organisations participating in public debate during election periods.
Comment from Ray Yoshida, spokesperson for the Alliance:
“Charities are a crucial voice in election debates, providing unique policy and community perspectives. Yet our research has found that charity spending on communication and advertising in elections over the past two decades has been completely dwarfed by other groups, accounting for less than 1% of the total spend."
“A healthy electoral system is one where no single type of interest group dominates. Charities contribute to this by being an alternative source of information for voters. But this is all at risk if new laws treat charities the same as political parties.
“Charities want to be part of improving the integrity of the electoral system. They can’t do this if they’re being drowned in red tape and shut out from election debates."
“Charities aren’t the same as political parties. We don’t make laws, we can’t form government, and we’re legally bound to pursue the public-interest. New election rules need to recognise this.
If the Albanese government takes a one-size-fits-all approach to electoral reform then the outcome will be that voters will hear more from political parties and powerful interests and less from the charity voices they trust."
“This report is a clarion call to ensure upcoming electoral law reforms allow charities and community groups to have a voice in our elections.”
For further enquiries please contact Ray Yoshida.
ray.yoshida@australiandemocracy.org.au
0404 614 469
