The Claim
“Tried to abolish the independent national charity regulation body, which would mean the government would regulate charities, possibly resulting in less impartial regulation. For example, environmental groups could be stripped of charity status because they oppose government policies.”
Original Sources Provided
✅ FACTUAL VERIFICATION
The core factual claim is TRUE. The Coalition Government did attempt to abolish the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), which was established by the previous Labor Government in December 2012 [1].
The Coalition announced its plan to abolish the ACNC shortly after winning the 2013 election. In December 2013, then-Minister for Social Services Kevin Andrews confirmed the government would abolish the ACNC, which had only been operating for 12 months [2]. The government introduced the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (Repeal) (No. 1) Bill 2014 as part of its "red tape repeal day" in March 2014 [3].
The proposed plan was to return charity regulation functions to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and replace the ACNC with a "Centre for National Excellence" focused on supporting rather than regulating the sector [2].
However, the repeal attempt ultimately failed. In April 2015, Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced the government was withdrawing the plan and the ACNC would remain, stating it was "not a priority for us to proceed with that at this time" [4]. The repeal bill lapsed in April 2016 [5].
Missing Context
The claim omits several important contextual points:
The attempt failed and the ACNC remained. The Coalition's plan to abolish the ACNC was abandoned in 2015 after significant opposition from the charity sector itself. The ACNC continues to operate today, meaning environmental groups were never actually transferred back to ATO oversight [4].
The ACNC is administratively part of the ATO. While the ACNC is described as an "independent" regulator, it is actually established under the Australian Taxation Office as its parent department [1][6]. The Commissioner of Taxation is the Accountable Authority for the ACNC under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 [6]. The claim's framing suggests a fully independent body being handed to the ATO, but the ACNC has always had ATO oversight.
Charity sector surveys supported the ACNC. A pre-election survey cited in The Conversation found that more than 80% of organizations within the sector were happy working with the ACNC and preferred it to ATO regulation [2]. Major charity leaders like Tim Costello (World Vision Australia) supported the ACNC's continuation, noting it had already removed at least nine fraudulent charities [4].
The claim conflates two separate issues. The specific concern about environmental groups losing charity status relates primarily to Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, which for environmental groups requires listing on the Register of Environmental Organisations - a separate process controlled by the Environment Minister, not the ACNC [3]. The claim conflates general charity regulation with DGR status.
Source Credibility Assessment
New Matilda is an independent online publication founded in 2004, owned and edited by journalist Chris Graham. It describes its focus as "investigative journalism and analysis" [3].
New Matilda is generally considered a progressive/left-leaning publication. It has been described as an independent alternative media outlet with a history of covering issues from perspectives critical of conservative governments. The publication has received Walkley Awards and Human Rights Awards for its journalism [3].
While the article presents legitimate concerns about political interference with charities (which have historical precedent), it frames the issue from a clear environmental advocacy perspective. The article's author, Greg Ogle, appears to be writing from an environmental advocacy standpoint, and the piece includes opinion statements such as "This government does not like campaigning and advocacy organisations" [3].
The article is factually accurate about the Coalition's stated plans but presents a partisan interpretation of motives without providing the Coalition's stated rationale (red tape reduction).
Labor Comparison
Labor created the ACNC. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission was established under the Gillard Labor Government in December 2012 as part of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 [1][5]. This followed over a decade of reviews and inquiries calling for a dedicated charity regulator, including recommendations from the 2001 report under the Howard Coalition Government and the 2010 Productivity Commission report [2].
Historical context of ATO oversight. The article correctly notes that under the Howard Coalition Government (1996-2007), there were documented instances where the ATO was used to audit environmental charities. The Wilderness Society faced at least 20 different public calls to be stripped of charity status between 2004-2007, though it passed three ATO audits [3]. AidWatch had long court battles to secure charity status [3].
Labor appointed a controversial figure too. While not directly comparable, the subsequent Turnbull Coalition Government appointed former Labor politician Gary Johns as ACNC Commissioner in 2017, a move that was also criticized by some charities who viewed Johns as having been critical of charities and government funding to them [5].
No equivalent Labor attempt to abolish charity regulation. There is no evidence of a Labor Government attempting to abolish or significantly weaken the ACNC or its equivalent bodies. Labor maintained the ACNC after the Coalition abandoned the repeal attempt.
Balanced Perspective
While the Coalition did announce plans to abolish the ACNC and return regulation to the ATO, the full context includes the government's stated rationale and the outcome:
Coalition's stated rationale: The government argued that the ACNC created excessive red tape and imposed a "monolithic regulatory structure" without identified mischief requiring it [2]. Minister Kevin Andrews cited the need to reduce regulatory burden on charities, noting that 78% of charities (those with under $250,000 revenue) faced annual reporting requirements that some found burdensome [2]. The government proposed a "Centre for National Excellence" to support rather than regulate the sector.
Legitimate concerns existed. There were genuine debates about regulatory duplication - charities already reported to state authorities (for incorporated associations) or ASIC (for companies limited by guarantee), and the ACNC added another layer. A COAG working group was examining ways to harmonize reporting requirements [2].
The claim's concerns have historical basis. The fear of political interference with environmental charities was not unfounded. The Howard government era demonstrated that ATO oversight could be used to pressure advocacy organizations. The ACNC legislation was specifically designed with protections for advocacy, including provisions ensuring governance standards "do not constrain advocacy" [3].
However, the feared outcome did not materialize. The repeal was abandoned, the ACNC remains operational, and environmental charities retained their status. The ACNC has continued under Coalition, Labor, and subsequent Coalition governments without the predicted stripping of charity status from environmental groups.
Ultimately, the claim is factually accurate about the Coalition's attempt but omits that: (1) the attempt failed, (2) the ACNC was never fully independent from the ATO, (3) the charity sector itself largely supported the ACNC, and (4) the specific concern about DGR status relates to separate ministerial powers, not ACNC regulation.
PARTIALLY TRUE
6.0
out of 10
The Coalition Government did attempt to abolish the ACNC and return charity regulation to the ATO, which was accurately reported. However, the claim omits that this attempt ultimately failed and the ACNC continues to operate. The concern about environmental groups losing charity status was speculative ("possibly resulting") rather than actual, and conflates general charity registration (ACNC's role) with Deductible Gift Recipient status (minister-controlled). The framing also omits the sector's support for the ACNC and the Coalition's stated rationale of reducing red tape.
Final Score
6.0
OUT OF 10
PARTIALLY TRUE
The Coalition Government did attempt to abolish the ACNC and return charity regulation to the ATO, which was accurately reported. However, the claim omits that this attempt ultimately failed and the ACNC continues to operate. The concern about environmental groups losing charity status was speculative ("possibly resulting") rather than actual, and conflates general charity registration (ACNC's role) with Deductible Gift Recipient status (minister-controlled). The framing also omits the sector's support for the ACNC and the Coalition's stated rationale of reducing red tape.
📚 SOURCES & CITATIONS (7)
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1
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission - Wikipedia
Wikipedia
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2
Watching over the helpers: why regulation of charities matters
Kevin Andrews, the minister responsible for the not-for-profit sector, has confirmed that the government will abolish the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC) that began operation…
The Conversation -
3
Independence Of Charities Under Threat
In early May, submissions to a Federal Senate Commission examining the repeal of a the national charity regulation body — the 18-month old Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC) — will close. What follows will be a nervous wait for charitable organisations around the country, especially those with an environmental agenda. If the Coalition Government hasMore
New Matilda -
4
Australian government pulls back from plans to abolish charity regulator
Australia’s coalition government has withdrawn from plans to abolish the country’s newly-formed charity watchdog, after the sector campaigned for it to remain.
Civilsociety Co -
5
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (Repeal) (No. 1) Bill 2014
Helpful information Text of bill First reading: Text of the bill as introduced into the Parliament Third reading: Prepared if the bill is amended by the house in which it was introduced. This version of the bill is then considered by the second house. As passed by
Aph Gov -
6
Program 1.4 Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
Transparency portal
Transparency Gov -
7
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Rating Scale Methodology
1-3: FALSE
Factually incorrect or malicious fabrication.
4-6: PARTIAL
Some truth but context is missing or skewed.
7-9: MOSTLY TRUE
Minor technicalities or phrasing issues.
10: ACCURATE
Perfectly verified and contextually fair.
Methodology: Ratings are determined through cross-referencing official government records, independent fact-checking organizations, and primary source documents.