FIA Welcomes Productivity Commission Report

The Fundraising Institute of Australia has welcomed the final report of the Productivity Commission into the Contribution of the Not for Profit Sector.

The FIA says the move to reduce regulatory and compliance burdens on the sector is welcome, as is the focus to establish consistency across States & Territories.

FIA CEO, Chris McMillan says improved sector governance measures will assist in the performance of the sector and drive future reforms.

The Productivity Commission's Presiding Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald, says the proposed reforms would directly address concerns about the multiplicity of regulatory requirements, poor collaboration between the sector and governments and emerging capacity constraints.

To consolidate regulatory oversight and enhance transparency, the Commission proposes a ‘one stop shop’ for Commonwealth-based regulation in the form of a Registrar for Community and Charitable Purpose Organisations. He says an Office for Sector Engagement should also be established to drive reform and policy development at the Commonwealth level.

The Report also recommends the establishment of a separate chapter in the Corporations Act 2001 dealing with NFP companies limited by guarantee.

Download the report at www.pc.gov.au/projects/study/not-for-profit/report