A number of central and northern Victorian organisations have been struck off the national charity register by Australia’s charity watchdog.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Six charities – including two pre-schools, an RSL sub-branch, and a Christian church – will no longer be able to access Commonwealth tax concessions after failing to provide the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission with financial statements for the past two years.
Girgarre RSL sub-branch was included in this list, but RSL Victoria’s chief financial officer, Luke Gilholme, said an “administrative error” had caused the sub-branch to lose its charity status.
Mr Gilholme could not clarify if the error was attributable to the RSL sub-branch or the ACNC, but confirmed it “was not willful non-compliance” on behalf of the RSL.
“We are working with the ACNC to re-establish the registration,” he said.
An ACNC spokesperson said: “If an organisation has had its charity status revoked through the twice-yearly double defaulter process, we will work with them to reinstate their registration and help them to meet their obligations to the ACNC.”
Termed “double defaulters” by the ACNC, 590 non-for-profit organisations across Australia were recently struck off the national list.
Tax concessions include; income tax exemption, goods and services tax (GST) charity concessions, a fringe benefits tax (FBT) rebate and FBT exemption.
ACNC Commissioner Susan Pascoe AM said more than 1300 registered charities were warned of losing their status earlier in the year.
“Revocation for failing to report is always a last resort for the ACNC, and we prefer to work with charities to get them back on track, ” Ms Pascoe said.
“Revoking charities that fail to meet their obligations is an important part of maintaining trust and confidence in the not-for-profit sector. The public need to be confident that the national regulator is only displaying eligible charities on the Charity Register.”
The list of revoked charities can be found at acnc.gov.au/doubledefaulters
Full list of revoked charities in central and northern Victoria.
Helm Street Pre School Inc, 3555
The Gisborne Singers Inc, 3437
Girgarre Rsl Sub-Branch, 3624
Girgarre Christian Church Inc, 3624
Avenel Pre School Inc, 3664
Broadford Community Centre Inc, 3658
