The new found and alarmingly easily accessed trend of charity registration, especially in the animal rescue arena, has become the victim of abuse by those wishing to obtain tax benefits and reduce the necessity to acquire gainful employment for many under qualified citizens of Australia. It has brought forward power to people to front a multi million dollar business, with no formal training or business qualifications, that in the corporate sector would be a requirement for the position.

The ACNC and the Charities Act have given way to anyone being able to gain charity status at very little effort. This is resulting in not only the abuse of fundraising laws across Australia, but also places animal lovers at risk of being scammed out of their money, by way of donations which is often used to simply contribute to the lifestyles of the self appointed committees, all of which is largely made up of the creator of the charity and their immediate family and friends. This is costing our country millions of dollars per year in DGR claims, which are awarded to many charities without proper screening of who is who in the organisation.

Currently, there is one animal rescue charity under investigation by a large police task force, and at present the committee is continuing their activities as normal, bringing in over $1.3m last financial year whilst being under investigation. The committee, which is made  up of the founder and her close friends and family members, has not been instructed to stand down, and are still operating ALL of the charity bank accounts, which funds the lavish rental properties they live in, and makes wages and salary payments well above the award rates of this country. These individuals have acted outside of the acceptable behavior set as a standard by the ACNC, and have physically and mentally attacked hundreds of individuals who questioned their actions or decisions. This behavior has gone un-reprimanded, despite the governance orders for charity workers to behave in a professional manner. 

We seek to have a Parliamentary Inquiry into the structure of the Charities Act, and requirements to become registered by the ACNC as a matter of priority.