The Gillard Government today announced appointments to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) Advisory Board.
"The ACNC Advisory Board brings together a range of experienced individuals from across the not-for-profit (NFP) sector and Australia," said Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury.
"Together, they will support the ACNC Commissioner to fulfil her responsibilities under the ACNC Act by providing guidance and advice, which will assist in delivering a modern and effective regulatory framework which focuses on the needs of charities and the community.
"The Government congratulates the newly appointed ACNC Advisory Board members."
Mr Robert Fitzgerald AM will be the part-time Chair of the ACNC Advisory Board. Mr Fitzgerald has a diverse background and extensive experience in commerce, law, public policy and community services, and was presiding Commissioner of the Productivity Commission's 2010 report Contribution of the Not-for-Profit Sector.
Ms Fiona McLeay has been appointed as part-time Deputy Chair, bringing a strong understanding of smaller charities and volunteer organisations through her work as Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) in Victoria.
In addition, the following individuals have been appointed to the ACNC Advisory Board:
- Ms Gina Anderson, Philanthropy Fellow with the Centre for Social Impact and experienced NFP director
- Mr Paul O'Callaghan, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Australia and former Executive Director of the Australian Council for International Development
- Professor Myles McGregor‑Lowndes OAM, Director of the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Non-profit Studies at the Queensland University of Technology
- Ms Sheila McHale, CEO of Palmerston Association, a large Western Australian NFP drug and alcohol organisation
- Mr David Crosbie, CEO of the Community Council for Australia and a member of the NFP Sector Reform Council
- Mr Anthony Lang, a barrister specialising in NFP law and a Board Member of the Victorian Council of Social Service
Minister for Social Inclusion Mark Butler said that representatives from the Governments of New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Northern Territory will form part of the ACNC Advisory Board in their capacity as ex-officio members.
"The Federal Government is working with the States and Territories to deliver a coordinated and streamlined approach to NFP regulation," said Mr Butler.
"These appointments will assist the ACNC to co-ordinate its regulatory approach and red tape reduction activities with the States and Territories, as we work to deliver a truly national regulatory framework for the NFP sector."
Details of the ACNC Advisory Board appointments are attached.
Attachment
AUSTRALIAN CHARITIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFITS COMMISSION (ACNC) ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTMENTS
Chair:
- Mr Robert Fitzgerald AM is a Commissioner of the Productivity Commission and a Commissioner on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. He has a diverse background and extensive experience in commerce, law, public policy and community services. Prior to being appointed to the Productivity Commission, he was the Community and Disability Services Commissioner and Deputy Ombudsman in NSW. He practiced as a commercial lawyer in NSW for over 20 years, including with the firm Clayton Utz, and established his own law practice specialising in franchising, licensing and trade practices. His involvement in public policy has been extensive and includes serving as a member of the National Competition Council for five years (1999-2003). He was Chair of the Commonwealth Taskforce on Franchising Regulation, Chair of the Franchising Code Administration Council, member of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Social Security and member of the Commonwealth Inquiry into the Definition of Charities and Related Organisations. For over 30 years he has also been involved in a voluntary capacity in numerous community services. He has served as President of the Australian Council of Social Service and is currently a Director of The Benevolent Society and Foyer Foundation. He holds degrees in commerce and law from the University of NSW. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1994, is a recipient of the Centenary medal, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Australian Catholic University in 2001, and is now an Adjunct Professor at that University.
Deputy Chair:
- Ms Fiona McLeay has degrees in psychology, criminology and law. She worked in legal firms for some years before becoming Pro Bono Coordinator as part of the Clayton Utz National Pro Bono Scheme in 2000. She became General Counsel at World Vision Australia in 2006, also holding the positions of Company Secretary and Chief Risk Officer. Ms McLeay is currently the Executive Director for the Public Interest Law Clearing House in Victoria, which provides specialist free legal services and training for NFPs. She has served on the Boards of a range of NFP organisations, including, currently, the Human Rights Law Centre and Urban Seed. She is also currently a member of the Commonwealth Attorney General's International Pro Bono Advisory Group.
Members:
- Ms Gina Anderson has a depth of experience as a Board Director in both executive and non‑executive director capacities. She has diverse experience in private companies and in NFP organisations. From 2005 to 2010 she was the Executive Director and CEO of Philanthropy Australia and is now the Philanthropy Fellow at the Centre for Social Impact at the University of New South Wales. She is also a Director of the George Institute for Global Health and Chair of Women's Community Shelters.
- Mr Paul O'Callaghan has been the Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Australia since April 2011. Previously, he has been the Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Deputy CEO of National Disability Services and from 2005 to 2009, Executive Director of the Australian Council for International Development. During 2009 and 2010, he worked as Interim CEO of Reconciliation Australia and as an independent consultant advising NFP boards and management. He has represented Australian organisations in global forums, notably through the OECD and the World Bank.
- Professor Myles McGregor-Lowndes OAM has been the Director of the Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Non-profit Studies at the Queensland University of Technology since 2001. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2003 for service to the community by providing education and support in legal, financial and administrative matters to non-profit organisations. He has published extensively on legal aspects related to the charity and NFP sector, is a consultant to a large legal firm specialising in the area, and has held many non-profit board positions across the sector. He was a founding member of the ATO Charities Consultative Committee and has provided consultancy services to Commonwealth and State agencies, including the ATO, Treasury and the Productivity Commission.
- Ms Sheila McHale was a member of the WA Parliament from 1996 to 2008 and from 2001, held a number of Ministerial portfolios including Consumer Affairs, Disability Services and Community Development. As Minister for Consumer Affairs, she was involved in national discussions on uniform business regulation and also oversighted the drafting of a new WA Associations Incorporations Bill. Since 2009, she has been CEO of Palmerston Association, a large Western Australian NFP drug and alcohol organisation.
- Mr David Crosbie is the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Council for Australia and is also currently a member of the NFP Sector Reform Council. He has extensive experience in the NFP sector, including as the Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Council of Australia, Odyssey House Victoria and the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia.
- Mr Anthony Lang is a barrister specialising in NFP law. Since 2008, he has been the representative of the Victorian Bar on the Victorian Government's Office for the Community Sector Regulatory Reform Reference Group and for the last 14 years, he has served as a Director on the Board of the Victorian Council of Social Service.
Ex-officio members:
- Deputy Chief Executive, Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Department of Family and Community Services, New South Wales Government;
- Director, Community Connect, Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, South Australian Government;
- Director, Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading, Department of Justice, Tasmanian Government; and
- Executive Director, Gambling and Licensing Services, Department of Business, Northern Territory Government.