MEDIA RELEASE: Major Australian charities slam undemocratic changes to election rules
Major Australian charities have slammed the Labor and Liberal deal to pass undemocratic electoral changes. The rushed process has led to critical drafting errors that will severely limit the ability of charities to advocate during election periods.
While much of the public attention has focused on donation and spending caps during elections and how that would affect different types of candidates, an often overlooked aspect is how it will impact other types of groups like charities and not-for-profits.
Of major concern for charities is a provision that prevents the use of untied or general donations for use on electoral advocacy. Under the bill, which passed the Senate last night, charities would only be able to incur electoral expenditure using donations received specifically for that purpose.
Forty Australian charities wrote to Minister Don Farrell warning of potential unintended consequences of the bill that would disproportionately impact registered charities.
Despite this, and despite a flurry of last minute advocacy by dozens of charities, the government refused to adopt straightforward amendments to deal with what was widely seen as a drafting error.
Saffron Zomer, Executive Director of the Australian Democracy Network
“The restrictions on our participation in public debate during elections that this bill will impose are a blow to democracy. This will mean Australian charities are less able to keep the public educated and informed on key issues; less able to represent the causes and communities we serve; less able to hold the Government of the day to account. The result will be worse policy outcomes, less robust debate, less transparency and accountability for our leaders.
“There was a simple way to avoid this outcome - the Government has chosen not to do so. This Government has always said it values the role of charities in public life, and welcomes our advocacy - but it didn’t prioritise those values today. It is a deeply disappointing outcome for our sector, for our communities, and for our democracy.”
Cassandra Goldie, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service
“ACOSS is deeply disappointed that the major parties have passed the electoral reform bill whilst ignoring stakeholders' clear request for sufficient parliamentary scrutiny. Charities are a critical part of Australia's civil society. We support improved transparency and fairness in election funding. While there have been some modest improvements to donation disclosures, this Bill has been rushed through by both major parties, and as a result there will be negative consequences hindering our democracy.
“We are very concerned that our democracy will be weakened, not strengthened, including by concentrating financial power in major parties and excluding others, and giving incumbents an unfair advantage in the democratic process. In addition, charities will not be able to incur electoral expenditure using general or un-tied donations, severely restricting their legitimate voice in election campaigns.
“Rules affecting our democracy should not be pushed through in backroom deals but must undergo proper review and rigorous oversight from all parliamentarians.”
Dr Robyn Sampson, CEO Baptist Care Australia
"We are deeply disappointed that the government passed the Electoral Reform Bill without the necessary amendments to protect charities’ role in election debates. As a charity, we have to remain independent of political parties and candidates. The role of charities like Baptist Care Australia during elections is to help people make informed choices on key issues like housing, cost of living and aged care. By restricting our ability to speak up, the government has made it harder for people to understand these issues. The public deserves better."
Kelly O’Shanassy, CEO, Australian Conservation Foundation
“Ensuring elections are a contest of ideas is a worthy aim but these new laws make it harder for charities to raise our voice during elections on ideas and policies that would make Australia better.”
Caitlin Reiger, CEO, Human Rights Law Centre
“The strength of our democracy depends on everyone’s voices being heard. This deal by Labor and Liberal will silence every person’s right to speak on issues, be it through charities or local community groups.
“While these changes will stop independent, non-partisan charities from spending untied funds during elections, they do nothing to stop big mining, tobacco and gambling peak bodies exploiting the loopholes of corporate membership fees to spend on election advertising.”
Media contact:
Ray Yoshida 0404 614 469 ray.yoshida@australiandemocracy.org.au
Saffron Zomer 0417 152 908 saffron.zomer@australiandemocracy.org.au
