Head of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission to deliver the fourth Ramsay Lecture for 2022.
Sydney, Tuesday 19 July 2022: Few would quibble over the invaluable contribution of the charity sector to Australian society. But are all charities created equal, with appropriate and optimum governance structures, clear intent and purpose, transparent activity, and independence from political movements?
Given every dollar raised and spent on charity has an opportunity cost, and the Australian public underwrites charities through tax exemptions, should there be greater transparency around their sources of funding and their activity?
As Head of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission since 2017, former ALP Minister, the Hon Dr Gary Johns, has gained an unique insight into the state of the Australian charity sector. Now as outgoing Commissioner, he will offer his praise for the immense value charities add to Australian society, as well as his parting thoughts on how Australia could enhance their contribution, in our fourth Ramsay Lecture for 2022, Charity – Enhancing its value to Australian Society.
In a show of support for the work of charities, Dr Johns will argue that all charities should be granted the privilege of a tax deduction for the donor. But he will say that this should only be granted if charities meet a number of conditions, including attempting to raise donations and recruit volunteers, satisfying a ‘clear means of delivering’ test, reporting the source of government funds, and not spending charity funds on political campaign advertising.
Dr Johns’ tenure as Commissioner 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 sexual abuse.
He 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 served at Georgetown University, Washington DC.
He is an adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland.
**This will be the first live Ramsay Lecture for 2022, held at The Mint on Tuesday 26 July. To attend register your interest at ramsayevents@ramsaycentre.org
Media contact: Sarah Switzer 0407 816 098/ sarah.switzer@ramsaycentre.org