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Charities Commission Independence & charities under threat
14 JULY 2011
Independence of Charities Commission and charities under threat
The national Association of Non-Governmental Organisations of Aotearoa (ANGOA) Coordinator Dave Henderson today called on the Government to clarify the definition of “charity” and not to go ahead with its proposal to axe the Charities Commission and absorb it into the Department of Internal Affairs.
Dave Henderson says non-profit organisations have been raising concerns about the deregistration of charities by the Charities Commission for some time now.
“The Commission was set up to be the guardian of New Zealand’s charities but it has ended up policing them instead.
“The Commission’s narrow interpretation of ‘charitable’ is leaving many worthwhile charities providing great public benefit fearing they may be deregistered simply for advocating for the people and causes they support. The definition of ‘charitable’ needs to be clarified so that charities can perform advocacy without fear of arbitrary deregistration.”
Non-profit organisations are also concerned by Government proposals to absorb the Charities Commission into the Department of Internal Affairs.
“We don’t agree with everything the Commission does but we believe an independent Commission is essential for public trust and confidence in the sector. Absorbing the Commission won’t solve the difficulties the Commission is creating for sector organisations.
“The Government needs to urgently review the Charities Act to ensure the Charities Commission supports charities rather than polices them and to clarify the definition of ‘charitable’. In the meantime there should be a moratorium on deregistrations for advocacy or community economic development.
“These steps are needed to ensure the Commission fulfils its role to develop a supportive, resilient and sustainable charitable sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.”
ANGOA is a network of non-government organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand including national, regional and local groups. Its member organisations are active in the areas of health, education, international development, human rights, the environment, youth, ethnicity, women, disability, recreation, arts and culture.
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