Events and Activities
Submissions
Changemakers has made two submissions to the Australian Tax Office to ensure the High Court decision on Aid/Watch v Tax Commissionerresults in removal of advocacy barriers. Changemakers responded to the consultation on the draft Charities Tax Ruling, endorsing much of the draft but making recommendations to improve clarity. Our main concern was that including ‘direct lobbying’ in the draft Ruling would lead to charities perceiving, incorrectly, that lobbying was not permitted. Our submission
Changemakers also made a submission to the ATO consultation on the Aid/Watch Decision Impact Statement, which describes the actions the ATO will take in response to a High Court decision. Changemakers argued that the Tax Ruling for Public Benevolent Institutions should be reviewed as a result of the Aid/Watch decision. Our submission
Changemakers has made a submission to the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department Scoping study for a national not-for-profit regulator process. This is an important opportunity to modernise the charity sector, but Changemakers cautions against using regulation or legislative change to restrict advocacy. Our submission:
Changemakers has also made submissions to Australia’s Future Tax System Review (The Henry Review) and the Productivity Commission’s Study on the Contribution of the Not for Profit Sector. Our position paper is available here.
Workshops
Upcoming events
Change the World Through Philanthropy, November 2011
Changemakers Australia and Philanthropy Australia are holding two workshops for philanthropy. These workshops will explain how the High Court Decision on Aid/Watch has made it easier for philanthropy to fund advocacy. They will also provide insight into why charities believe it is important for philanthropy to support advocacy and the achievements that can be made through high quality advocacy work.
Sydney Tuesday 15th November 2011
Time: 10am - 12.30pm
Venue: CBD location to be confirmed
Melbourne Thursday 17th November 2011
Time: 10am - 12.30pm
Venue: Multi Cultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth Street (opposite the Queen Victoria Market)
RSVP to changemakers@reichstein.org.au or phone (03) 9650 4400
Making Headway – New Directions in Charity Advocacy Laws and Not for Profit Regulation, July 2011
Changemakers, ACOSS, NCOSS and VCOSS held two forums to discuss the draft Charities Tax Ruling and other current NFP issues on 14 July (Sydney) and 16 July (Melbourne). The Australian Tax Office (ATO) presented at both forums. Around 100 people attended the two events, demonstrating the high level of interest in the Gillard Government’s modernisation agenda and the impact of the Aid/Watch decision on the regulation of tax concessions. Much thanks to the partner organisations who hosted the forums and made presentations and the Australian Tax Office for making an informative presentation and addressing a wide range of issues from the floor.
Aid/Watch forum, Melbourne University, February 2011
Changemakers was delighted to work in partnership with the Melbourne Law School and PILCH Connect to run a forum on the High Court decision on Aid/Watch. Seven people made presentations, including Dr James Goodman from Aid/Watch, representatives of the Aid/Watch legal team, eminent charities and tax lawyers and Esther Abram from Changemakers. Around 100 people attended, demonstrating the high level of interest within the community in this issue. The notes from the event are available here
Funding Social Change - Advocacy, RMIT, Melbourne. July 2008
A well attended Forum on Social Change Philanthropy and Advocacy was held at RMIT City Campus on 17 July 2008 to assist grant makers gain a better understanding of the extent to which they can fund advocacy projects under current tax legislation without jeopardising their charitable tax status. The Forum consisted of presentations by a number of leading speakers on the topic and provided a case study to further highlight the importance of funding advocacy to bring about change. The Changemakers commissioned paper “Funding Advocacy for Social Change” was distributed to attendees.
Presentations were made by:
Mark Dreyfus QC MP, Chair, House of Representatives Standing Committee for Legal & Constitutional Affairs
Heather Gray, Partner, Holding Redlich
Gina Anderson, CEO Philanthropy Australia
Christine Edwards, CEO, The Myer Foundation; Cath Smith, CEO, Victorian Council Of Social Services; Teresa Zolnierkiewicz, Head of Philanthropy Partners, ANZ Trustees; Annette McKail, Research & Policy Officer, Refugee Council of Australia; David Craig, CEO, Action for Community Living.
Arts Play, Birrarung Marr, Melbourne. June 2006
What it means to be a grantmaker working for social change, in conjunction with community organisations. The approach to social change philanthropy was examined by looking specifically at the issue of increasing inequality among Australia’s children.
The initial presentation, Suffer the Little Children, was made by Mary Crooks, Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust and Chair of Changemakers Australia, with Cath Smith, CEO of VCOSS providing a response.
Suffer the little children… Contemporary trends and issues impacting on Australian children - Session Notes
Suffer the Little Children session notes (PDF) 35.28 kB
Launch of Changemakers AustraliaIn launching CMA, Julian Gardner, Victoria’s Public Advocate, gave an inspiring speech to around 60 of our supporters in the beautiful Koorie Heritage Trust building. You can read this and Marion Webster's speech in full below... Marion Webster -25/10/05 35.50 kB
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