Upcoming inquiries and consultations
NAVA will be submitting responses to these upcoming inquiries and consultations and encourages you to add your voice.
Illustration by Emily Johnson.
Image description: drawing of three extended arms holding up sealed envelopes. The middle hand has long fingernails. The drawing is on a bright blue background.
Tips for writing submissions
- clearly address some or all of the questions in the provided discussion paper or terms of reference (you do not need to address each one)
- expressing where and why you agree or disagree are equally important, as are your views and ideas for alternative initiatives
- make it relevant and highlight your own perspective
- be concise, generally no longer than three to four pages
- begin with a short introduction about yourself or the organisation you represent
- emphasise your key points so that they are clear
- only include information you would be happy to see published online (unless you request that your submission is kept private)
Unlawful activity
Deadline 14 March 2021
Treasury is seeking submissions on changes to governance standard three in the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Regulation 2013 to expand the scope of impermissible activities that registered charities must not engage in or promote others to engage in, such as activism and protest.
NAVA is concerned that the proposed expansion of Governance Standard 3 will be used to silence charities and reduce activism and advocacy within the independent arts sector. There are hundreds of independent galleries, art spaces and arts organisations registered with the ACNC. The changes are a backward step for our democracy, increasing red tape for charities and threatening the implied freedom of political communication enshrined in the Australian Constitution.
How to contribute
Email your submission to charitiesconsultation@treasury.gov.au
Financial reporting thresholds
Deadline 21 March 2021
Treasury is seeking submissions in response to the proposal from the independent review of the ACNC, titled Strengthening for Purpose: Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Legislative Review 2018 (ACNC Review), which recommended increasing the financial reporting thresholds for ACNC-registered charities.
Questions
- Do you consider the proposed new thresholds are suitable? If no, why? If no, what thresholds do you consider appropriate to balance regulatory red tape and the need for accountability and transparency?
- In your view, is it more important for the ACNC to increase reporting thresholds as soon as Commonwealth legislative priorities allow, or for the increased thresholds to be increased simultaneously across all jurisdictions consistent with a longer timeframe?
- What lead in time would you consider suitable for charities to make the necessary changes to their reporting processes?
- In your view, if non-ACNC-registered incorporated associations were required to report similar financial information to that which ACNC-registered incorporated associations provide to the ACNC, would this provide sufficient accountability and transparency, including for the purposes of members, donors and the interested public?
- What, if any, issues do you consider potential differences in reporting thresholds for charity and non-charity incorporated associations will cause? Why?
- In your opinion, is the Thresholds Working Group overlooking any issues concerning the nexus between fundraising reporting requirements and financial reporting requirements for ACNC-registered charities?
How to contribute
Email your submission to Thresholds@treasury.gov.au
Job security
Deadline 31 March 2021
The Senate Select Committee on Job Security is calling for submissions on the impact of insecure or precarious employment on the economy, wages, social cohesion and workplace rights and conditions, with particular reference to:
- the extent and nature of insecure or precarious employment in Australia;
- the risks of insecure or precarious work exposed or exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis;
- workplace and consumer trends and the associated impact on employment arrangements in sectors of the economy including the ‘gig’ and ‘on-demand’ economy;
- the aspirations of Australians including income and housing security, and dignity in retirement;
- the effectiveness, application and enforcement of existing laws, regulations, the industrial relations system and other relevant policies;
- accident compensation schemes, payroll, federal and state and territory taxes;
- the interaction of government agencies and procurement policies with insecure work and the ‘on-demand’ economy; and
- any related matters.
How to contribute
Upload your submission to the inquiry page.
