Ramsay Lectures
Charity – Enhancing its value to Australian society
An exclusive lecture by Gary Johns
Gary Johns
In the first in-person Ramsay Lecture for 2022, former Commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, the Hon Dr Gary Johns, grants us an in-depth view into the current state of the Australian charity sector.
As Commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission since 2017, former ALP Minister, the Hon Dr Gary Johns has gained unique insights into the state of the Australian charity sector. As outgoing Commissioner, he offers his praise for the immense value and distinctive contribution that charities afford to Australian society, in addition to his parting thoughts on how Australia could enhance their contribution.
In a show of support for the work of charities, Dr Johns argues that all charities should be granted the privilege of a tax deduction for the donor. However, he believes that charities ‘need to demonstrate added value in pursuit of their charitable purposes’. He expresses the view that a tax deduction should be granted if charities meet a number of conditions, including efforts to raise donations and recruit volunteers, thus satisfying a ‘clear means of delivering’ test, reporting the source of government funds, and not spending charity funds on political campaign advertising.
Please join us for this insightful lecture and discussion between the Hon Dr Gary Johns and Ramsay Centre CEO Professor Simon Haines.
Gary Johns
Dr Johns’ tenure as Commissioner of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission follows a distinguished career in public service and policy advice, including as the author or editor of nine books on public policy. He has served as an inaugural board member of Volunteers Australia and has been a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Community Partnership, as well as the committee to design the National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sex abuse.
Dr Johns was a member of the House of Representatives from 1987-1996 and served variously as Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, and Special Minister of State and Assistant Minister for Industrial Relations. He also served as an Associate Commissioner of the Commonwealth Productivity Commission 2002-2004.
Dr Johns received the Centenary Medal in 2001 and the Fulbright Professional Award in Australian-United States Alliance Studies in 2002, which was undertaken at Georgetown University, Washington DC.
He was a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs, Senior Consultant with ACIL Tasman, Associate Professor at Australian Catholic University, Visiting Fellow at QUT Business School, and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland.