Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Jonno Duniam has welcomed strengthened laws to ensure that Australian charities do not engage in or promote serious unlawful acts of trespass, vandalism, theft and assault and threatening behaviour.
“Our Government strongly supports the right to peaceful, lawful protest – it is one of our key democratic principles,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.
“What our government does not support is activist organisations masquerading as charities.
“Tasmania’s registered charities do vital work in our communities, and these new standards will reinforce trust and confidence in the charities sector.
“By making these regulations, we can ensure charities that misuse and take advantage of their status to take part in or actively promote illegal activity can be stripped of tax concessions and other benefits.”
Charities will be required to maintain reasonable internal controls over their resources, such as their funds, social media accounts and employees, to ensure they do not use them to actively promote others to commit offences.
Further information can be found here: www.acnc.gov.au