The Manager,
Philanthropy and Exemptions Unit,
Personal and Retirement Income Division,
The Treasury,
Langton Crescent,
PARKES. ACT. 2600.
Email: NFPReform@treasury.gov.au

9 December 2011.

Dear Madam/Sir,

Australian Volunteers International (AVI) welcomes and appreciates the Australian Government’s consultation process and the opportunity to make a submission in relation to the Consultation Paper: A Definition of Charity.

AVI’s submission is made with particular reference to the international development sector, in which it operates.

Definition of Charity

AVI, together with many other non-government organisations (NGOs) in the international development sector, supports a definition of charity that does not confine charitable purpose or intent to the organisation of programs and activities that simply entail or encourage hand-outs to those in need (commonly known as the ‘Mother Theresa clause’).

Each year, AusAID, Australian businesses and the Australian public donate billions of dollars in program funding, cash support, in-kind support, goods and services, technical assistance and volunteer time (in Australia and overseas) to international development, with the primary objective of assisting communities and countries overseas to become self-sufficient.

The charitable purpose for AVI and many other international development NGOs is long-term poverty reduction, rather than temporary easing, of poverty, through sustainable development.  In this regard, AVI focuses on addressing systemic and structural aspects of poverty through capacity-building, which is central to our purpose and work that facilitates self-sufficiency and independence.  

Recommendation

AVI strongly urges the ACNC to consider a definition of charity that recognises the long-term poverty reduction of international communities through sustainable development and capacity-building that enables self-sufficiency and independence in addition to the relief from pressing needs arising from the likes of natural disasters, conflict or other causes.

AVI Contact 

Dimity Fifer, Chief Executive Officer,
Australian Volunteers International (AVI),
71 Argyle Street (PO Box 350),
Fitzroy. VIC. 3065. 

Telephone: (03) 9279 1701
E-mail: dfifer@australianvolunteers.com

Yours sincerely,

Dimity Fifer,
Chief Executive Officer