Susan Pascoe, former Commissioner with the Victorian State Services Authority and former CEO of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria, has been appointed as the Chair of the Implementation Taskforce for the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
In announcing Ms Pascoe's new role, Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten also released the Final report on the scoping study for a national NFP regulator and the exposure draft consultation paper on restating the 'in Australia' special conditions for tax exempt entities.
The Implementation Taskforce will ensure the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission is ready for operation by 1 July 2012, consulting on a single general reporting framework and information portal requirements.
The Implementation Taskforce will also engage with state agencies to negotiate use of the portal as a 'one stop shop' for reporting to state agencies.
"The not-for-profit sector has a real and growing importance in the Australian economy and in Australian society more broadly. A national, one-stop-shop for the sector is long overdue," Mr Shorten said.
"Susan Pascoe has a strong record of achievement in public service and the Government is delighted she has accepted this position."
Community Council of Australia Chair and CEO of World Vision, Rev Tim Costello, said "The Community Council for Australia welcomes this appointment. Susan Pascoe knows this area, is respected by the not-for-profit sector and has the capacity to drive reform across government."
The Government will undertake a merit based selection process for the appointment of the Commissioner for the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission once legislation has been finalised.
The final report for the scoping study outlines the views put forward by stakeholders during consultation about the design for the ACNPC and makes recommendations on the direction of reforms to strengthen the NFP sector. Copies of the report are available at www.treasury.gov.au.
The Government announced in the 2009-10 Budget that it would amend the 'in Australia' special conditions in Division 50 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 to ensure that Parliament retains the ability to fully scrutinise those organisations seeking to pass money to overseas charities and other entities.
The exposure draft also amends the 'in Australia' special conditions as they apply to deductible gift recipients.
Restating the 'in Australia' special conditions will provide support to the anti-avoidance measures in the tax law that limit income tax exempt entities, including deductible gift recipients, expending money offshore and ensure tax supported funds remain in Australia and clarify the law to give the sector certainty as to their obligations.
The 'in Australia' special conditions provide additional measures to address possible abuse of not‑for‑profit entities for the purposes of money laundering and terrorist financing, and ensure the proper operation of not-for-profit entities, their use of public donations and funds, and the protection of their assets. Consultation is open for six weeks, until Friday, 12 August 2011. More information can be found at www.treasury.gov.au.
4 July 2011
Susan Pascoe Biography
Susan Pascoe has been a full-time Commissioner with the Victorian State Services Authority, with responsibility for Regulatory Reform, since September 2006. She was formerly the Chief Executive of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria and the Director of Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Before this, she was the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Ms Pascoe has been closely involved in state, national and international efforts to improve the quality and equity of school education.
Following the Victorian bushfires in February 2009, Ms Pascoe took leave from the Authority with her appointment as a Commissioner to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission. Ms Pascoe returned to the Authority in August 2010.
Susan has been a member of several Australian delegations to the OECD and UNESCO, and led Australia's delegation to the UN World Education Forum in Senegal in 2001. She was the Chair of the Australian National Commission for UNESCO and a Director of the Senate of the Australian Catholic University. Susan is the past President and Fellow of the Australian College of Educators, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Public Administration, the Australian Institute of Management and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.