MEDIA RELEASE: Charities call for critical amendments to the Electoral Reform Bill
Australian charities have weighed into the debate about the government’s proposed electoral reforms, calling for changes to ensure that if the bill is passed charities can continue to have a voice in election debates.
Around 40 Australian charities have written to Minister Don Farrell warning of potential unintended consequences of the bill that would disproportionately impact registered charities over and above political parties.
Under the proposed reforms, charities would be unable to use the majority of the donations they receive on electoral expenditure, which could limit their ability to contribute to election debates - a restriction that would not impact political parties or candidates.
All signatories to the letter are members of the Stronger Charities Alliance, an alliance of over 140 charities working across a range of issues including education, social welfare, human rights, international development, animal welfare, the environment, health, climate change, disability rights and philanthropy.
The Alliance works to ensure that the charity sector is empowered to advocate for policy change, and to ensure the regulatory environment allows charities to engage in advocacy. It has previously published research into how charities are regulated under electoral laws across different Australian jurisdictions.
Saffron Zomer, Executive Director of the Australian Democracy Network:
“Charities aren’t the same as political parties. We don’t make laws, we can’t form a 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.
We appreciate that the Minister has been open to feedback from the sector. Now it’s time for the government and all members of parliament to commit to protecting the participation of charities in public debates around election time.”
Kelly O’Shanassy, CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation:
“Advocating for policy change that makes Australia better is core business for charities. We do this day in and day out and it is ever more valid in the lead up to elections when parties and candidates get serious about developing their policies.
Fairness and transparency in election funding is crucial to ensure elections are a contest of ideas, not money. It’s critical that these reforms don’t conflate non-partisan charities with partisan politics”.
Matthew Maury, Interim CEO of the Australian Council for International Development:
“Our sector is anchored with core values that focus on ensuring the voices of the most marginalised in our world are not ignored or silenced. Australian charities often help to play this critical role of speaking truth to power in ways that can help shape stronger and inclusive government policies.
Any reforms which take away the ability for charities to fulfill their mandates and to speak up for a more just world would be a step backwards for Australia. To that end, we support this work by the Stronger Charity Alliance to advocate for amendments to the Electoral Reform bill.”
Toby O’Connor, CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society National Council:
"The words of the Society's founder Frédéric Ozanam still resonate today - ‘There is no charity without justice’. As well as providing assistance at times of need, the Society continues to advocate for social change based on the principles of justice and compassion, and we strongly support the work of the Stronger Charities Alliance in furthering these goals."
Media contact: Ray Yoshida 0404 614 469 ray.yoshida@australiandemocracy.org.au
