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Senate to hear calls for consolidated fundraising model
A consistent national approach to the regulation of charity fundraising is needed in Australia, according to an expert charity lawyer.
Grace Ormsby
Mills Oakley partner Vera Visevic has taken this stance all the way to the Senate in her appearance before the Senate Select Committee to present her position on charity fundraising in the 21st century.
She favours the implementation of a consolidated model of fundraising Australia-wide.
The terms of reference for the committee calls for investigation of a number of questions related to the suitability of Australia’s current charity fundraising regulatory framework.
Ms Visevic said “the practice of fundraising in Australia has drastically shifted, and the current legislative framework is fundamentally out of step with what it is attempting to regulate.”
With 20 years of experience acting for charities, religious and not-for-profit organisations, Ms Visevic has a wealth of experience in advising clients with regard to fundraising issues, as well as sitting on boards and committees including the Eric Dare Foundation, Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW, and the Community and Consumer Consultative Group.
“Extensive reform is needed to both improve this space going forward and to reduce the considerable challenges charities face in attempting to align their fundraising operations and practices with legislative requirements,” she continued.
Ms Visevic noted such reform would address “unnecessary expenditure of costs and resources, as well as wasted productivity” that charities are facing as they try to overcome inconsistent state and territory legislative requirements.”
The Sydney-based hearing commenced yesterday, 30 October.
