Congratulations to Anthony Albanese and the new Federal Government

Congratulations to Anthony Albanese and the new Federal Government in what was also a good result for the Australian Greens and Independents across Australia.

What does all this mean for the cause of philanthropy?

Since October last year, Philanthropy Australia has been engaging across the Parliament and with Treasury with our 2022 Election Statement, and we’ve received commitments to both of its key elements.

The result

In the March Budget, the Coalition Government announced historic community foundations reforms. On 7 April, Labor committed to the centrepiece of our Election Statement. Dr Andrew Leigh announced the Albanese Government will work with the philanthropic, for-purpose and business sectors to develop a strategy to double philanthropic giving by 2030.

This is a huge opportunity to create a more generous and giving Australia

A major national conversation should lead to a better understanding about the impact philanthropy can achieve in Parliament and across Australian society. Ultimately, this should lead to a more generous and giving culture in Australia, where all of us, particularly Australians more fortunately placed, can give what we can afford to support our fellow citizens in need.

It is a chance to make the case for the policy reforms to spur giving. For instance, giving Australians the choice through their superannuation arrangements to leave some money to charity upon their passing would unleash billions, and we could ensure many more of Australia’s 58,000 charities got DGR status, not just half.

Labor has indicated it is supportive of:

• Community foundations reform
• Fix fundraising
• A Not-for-Profit Freedom to Advocate Act
• Potentially a National Giving Campaign
• Developing a Blueprint for the charity sector with an expert reference panel, including representation from the philanthropic sector. See our A Blueprint to Grow Structured Giving.

Treasury has run an engagement process on private ancillary funds (PAFs) distributing to public ancillary funds (PuAFs), so that reform may also be within reach.

Doubling giving would mean around $13 billion in additional investment each year to address our greatest challenges, like children and families living in poverty, climate change, health, education and justice for Australia’s First Peoples. It would be transformational for our nation.