From Rev. Andrew Paterson, 
Minister at Kangaroo Valley Anglican Church, 
143 Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley NSW 2577

To Whom It May Concern: 

I am writing in response to the consultation paper on a statutory definition of a charity. 

I am in support of a statutory definition of what a charity is. 

However this is on the provision that the statutory definition fully ratifies the current common law ‘heads’ of what a charity is. 

In particular, I urge the Government to continue to see groups that further ‘the advancement of religion’ to be considered a charity in the new statutory definition. 

I am an Anglican minister in NSW. The Anglican church advances Christianity in Australia, but in doing so this also benefits Australians with relief of poverty (another head of charity under the old common law definition). Therefore under both headings the Anglican church fulfils the current definition of a charity. 

Using those two headings, the Anglican church certainly provides a ‘public benefit’ to Australia. Without being considered a charity, the Anglican church would not be able to provide its contribution to Australian society and families including: 

*Pre-school groups for needy mothers and carers in our churches across Australia
*youth groups and primary school clubs that provide a clear moral and safe benefit to Australian society all across Australia, contributing to better citizenship contributions by our youth now and in the future 
* Anglican churches provide clear community benefit through pastoral counselling (Anglicare and local churches), prayer and a positive community influence
* Senior assistance and provision of meals to community members in need
*Chaplains in our prisons, defence forces, hospitals and lower socio-economic regions of Australia
*  

At present the Anglican Church (like mine here in Kangaroo Valley) relies entirely on contributions (called ‘offertories’) from its own members in combination with charity status and GST-exempt status to continue to exist. Without such ‘charity’ status, a significant loss would be felt among our Australian community as Anglican churches would be forced to close. 

I therefore urge the Government and Treasury to include groups that further the ‘advancement of religion’ and ‘aid in relief of poverty’, such as the Anglican Church of Australia, to be considered a charity under the new statutory definition.  

Yours Faithfully, 
Andrew Paterson