Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft.

I am concerned about the proposed Section 7, which appears to exempt religious groups from the need to prove their ‘public-benefit’.

It seems reasonable that ALL activities wished to be deem ‘charitable’ should pass the test, either in the drafting of the Act or after its instatement in a ‘public benefit’ test. I’m aware that clauses like this have existed in legislature for a while but have always understood them to be relics, the sort of thing to be cleaned up in just such a reform as this Act.

I happen to agree that the alleviation of poverty and support of the elderly and powerless are of ‘public benefit’ but I trust the reformers of the Act the give these two areas due diligence before their inclusion in a tabled Bill however. Presumption, in this sense, has no place in civilised legislature.

Regards,

Culum Scown