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Review of Not-for-Profit Regulation - State Services Authority (SSA)
In March 2007 the Premier and Treasurer commissioned the SSA to undertake a review of the regulatory framework for the not-for-profit (NFP) sector with a view to reducing the regulatory burden for the sector by cutting red tape. PILCH is pleased that the Victorian Premier and Treasurer have commissioned this review. In terms of looking at much need regulatory reform for the sector, PILCH believes the Victorian government is leading the way nationally.
The SSA is due to report to the Premier and Treasurer in September 2007. For further information on the SSA see here.
For the SSA submission paper on this review see here.
The SSA report to the Premier and Treasurer is due by 30 September 2007.
PILCH's work on this issue
PILCH have spoken with the SSA Commissioner leading this review, Ms Susan Pascoe, and attended an expert consultation meeting. We have also, after consulting with VCOSS and others, made a written submission (20 July 2024).
In addition to specific regulatory reform suggestions, the PILCH submission notes that the regulatory environment for NFPs is even more complex than for business, yet the ability of NFPs to access and pay for high quality legal assistance is very limited, particularly for the majority that are small and rely heavily on volunteers. Further, that it is unfortunate that this complex regulatory system is combined with a dearth of expertise in the legal (and other) professions on NFP-specific issues such as tax concessions, fundraising and incorporated associations. While it is important to ensure public accountability and transparency, this needs to be balanced with making sure the limited financial resources of NFPs are not diverted from core service delivery.
PILCH's submission also outlines the role our new NFP legal service will play in assisting the NFP sector with free/low cost information, advice and training in order to better understand NFP legal and legally-related issues, as well as supporting professionals who advise NFPs about these issues. In this way, the new service will (with support from government, philanthropic and corporate sectors) become a hub of NFP-specific legal and legally-related expertise, thereby promoting and supporting the highest possible standards of governance by community organisations.
The SSA review is also linked to the Victorian government's Stronger Community Organisations Project which is looking at the broader question of supporting and sustaining the NFP sector (ie. the SSA review of the regulatory framework is one of the specific elements highlighted by the Stronger Community Organisations Project as important for the sector's sustainability). PILCH has also made a submission to the Stronger Community Organisations Project.
We will continue to monitor these reviews and to let our members, supporters and those NFPs on our database know about any proposed recommendations.
Any queries about these submissions, or to be added to our database (for further updates), please contact Sue Woodward, Policy Officer, PILCH
policy.pilch@vicbar.com.au
(posted 22 August 2024)
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