Philanthropy Australia welcomes the appointment of Dr Andrew Leigh to the charity portfolio

Philanthropy Australia enthusiastically welcomes the appointment of Dr Andrew Leigh as the Labor Government’s Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, following his outstanding leadership in the Shadow Charities portfolio since 2016.

Philanthropy Australia CEO, Jack Heath says, “Dr Leigh has made an outstanding contribution in shaping Labor’s strong platform on charities and philanthropic giving.”

During the election campaign, Dr Leigh announced that an Albanese Labor Government would work together with the philanthropic, for-purpose and business sectors to develop a strategy to double philanthropic giving to Australian charities by 2030.

Mr Heath says, “This commitment could be transformative for Australia. Doubling giving would see billions of new dollars flowing into the charitable sector. Ultimately, it means more support for people in greatest need, and more funding to address the greatest challenges our country faces.”

“Dr Leigh has built a deep knowledge of the people and organisations who make up the philanthropic and for-purpose sectors. He understands what it takes for programs to deliver real impact over the long term. He has been a fearless and constant champion of the right to advocate. Dr Leigh has built enormous trust and respect across our sectors,” said Mr Heath.

Philanthropy Australia looks forward to working with Dr Leigh on the shared endeavour to double giving, drawing on the policy reforms and initiatives in our 2022 Election Statement and our Blueprint to Grow Structured Giving.